ABA stimulates wound suberization through antagonizing the MYB4-mediated transcriptional repression of CYP86A1 and FAR in postharvest kiwifruit

Suberin biosynthesis involves a large number of genes, and many of them are induced by abscisic acid (ABA). However, the regulation of transcription factor (TF) in response to ABA on suberin biosynthetic genes in kiwifruit has been unexplored. In this study, two genes, AchnCYP86A1 and AchnFAR respectively encoding a fatty acid o3-hydroxylase and fatty acyl-CoA reductase involved in suberin monomer biosynthesis were demonstrated in transient overexpressed tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana). Notably, the negative regulation of AchnMYB4 on AchnCYP86A1 and AchnFAR was identified. AchnMYB4 could repress AchnCYP86A1 and AchnFAR transcript by directly binding to the gene promoter in yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase assays. These results were further confirmed in transient overexpressed tobacco leaves in that AchnMYB4 significantly down-regulated suberin biosynthetic genes including CYP86A1, FAR2 and FAR3, and reduced accumulation of o3-hydroxyacids and primary alcohols. Moreover, exogenous ABA could induce the expression of AchnCYP86A1 and AchnFAR, and the accumulation of corresponding suberin monomers by inhibition of AchnMYB4 in wound-tissue of kiwifruit. However, fluridone (an inhibitor of ABA biosynthesis) was found to counter the inductive effects of ABA. Taken together, the results suggest that ABA activates AchnCYP86A1 and AchnFAR to promote suberin monomers biosynthesis by inhibiting AchnMYB4.

Automated summary

ABA activates AchnCYP86A1 and AchnFAR in kiwifruit by inhibiting AchnMYB4, promoting the biosynthesis of suberin monomers.