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<p>Aromatic esters are key determinants of apple fruit aroma and consumer preference. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying ester biosynthesis by characterizing <i>MdAAT2-like</i>, a critical ester-synthesizing gene in apple. <i>MdAAT2-like</i> expressions were significantly upregulated during fruit ripening and positively correlated with ester accumulation. Functional validation in apple and tomato demonstrated that <i>MdAAT2-like</i> overexpression enhanced ester contents, while silencing or knockout reduced ester production. Enzymatic assays revealed that MdAAT2-like exhibits higher catalytic efficiency for medium- and short-chain acyl-CoAs compared to other AAT family members. Two transcription factors, MdMYB98-like and MdWRKY21, were identified as direct activators of <i>MdAAT2-like</i>. Both factors bind its promoter and synergistically enhance transcription through protein interaction. Notably, we uncovered a positive feedback model wherein <i>MdMYB98-like</i> and <i>MdWRKY21</i> reciprocally activate each other's expression, reinforcing rapid ester synthesis during ripening. This study reveals a MYB-WRKY regulatory module controlling ester biosynthesis in apple.</p>

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A MYB–WRKY feedback module activates MdAAT2‑like to regulate aromatic ester biosynthesis during apple ripening

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年8月3日

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  • Bin Wang,
  • Fang Zhou,
  • Yingrui Gao,
  • Min Cai,
  • Xiaoxiao He,
  • Lulong Sun,
  • Zhengyang Zhao

摘要

Aromatic esters are key determinants of apple fruit aroma and consumer preference. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying ester biosynthesis by characterizing MdAAT2-like, a critical ester-synthesizing gene in apple. MdAAT2-like expressions were significantly upregulated during fruit ripening and positively correlated with ester accumulation. Functional validation in apple and tomato demonstrated that MdAAT2-like overexpression enhanced ester contents, while silencing or knockout reduced ester production. Enzymatic assays revealed that MdAAT2-like exhibits higher catalytic efficiency for medium- and short-chain acyl-CoAs compared to other AAT family members. Two transcription factors, MdMYB98-like and MdWRKY21, were identified as direct activators of MdAAT2-like. Both factors bind its promoter and synergistically enhance transcription through protein interaction. Notably, we uncovered a positive feedback model wherein MdMYB98-like and MdWRKY21 reciprocally activate each other's expression, reinforcing rapid ester synthesis during ripening. This study reveals a MYB-WRKY regulatory module controlling ester biosynthesis in apple.