Genome-wide identification and analysis of carotenoid synthesis-related R2R3-MYB genes in Rhododendron molle G. Don.
4 affiliations
- 1Institute of Leisure Agriculture, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China.
- 2Key Laboratory of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Rhododendron, Nanjing, 210014, China.
- 3Institute of Leisure Agriculture, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China. [email protected].
- 4Key Laboratory of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Rhododendron, Nanjing, 210014, China. [email protected].
Abstract
Yellow flower coloration is a key trait of high value in the ornamental horticulture industry. Rhododendron molle G. Don, a deciduous species prized for its distinctive yellow blooms and bioactive compounds, is a valuable resource for breeding and medicinal applications. β-carotene has been established as the primary pigment responsible for yellow coloration in R. molle petals, and RmLCYB is a key candidate gene in the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway. However, the molecular mechanism controlling the accumulation of β-carotene in R. molle flowers is still unclear, and the information about R2R3-MYB genes in R. molle is limited. In this study, 106 RmR2R3-MYB genes were identified and divided into 31 subgroups. RNA-seq analysis characterized the expression profiles of differentially expressed genes including R2R3-MYB and carotenoid biosynthesis genes. Subsequently, quantitative real-time PCR validation highlighted seven critical carotenoid biosynthesis genes and five differentially expressed RmMYBs. Expression correlation analysis revealed that RmMYB90 was positively correlated with RmLCYB2, whereas RmMYB28 and RmMYB100 were negatively correlated. Yeast one-hybrid and dual-LUC assays demonstrated that RmMYB100 directly binds to the RmLCYB2 promoter and represses its transcription. This study provides the first functional insight into the R2R3-MYB family in R. molle and identifies candidate regulators of carotenoid synthesis. These candidate regulators provide targets for further functional characterization and may guide breeders in developing new ornamental cultivars with manipulated carotenoid yield and composition.
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BibTeX
@article{sun2026genomewide,
title = {{Genome-wide identification and analysis of carotenoid synthesis-related R2R3-MYB genes in Rhododendron molle G. Don.}},
author = {Xiaobo Sun and Zhenhao Guo and Chang Li and Xiaoqing Liu and Huimin Zhou and Yanming Deng},
journal = {BMC plant biology},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12870-026-09671-8},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958484},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Genome-wide identification and analysis of carotenoid synthesis-related R2R3-MYB genes in Rhododendron molle G. Don.
AU - Xiaobo Sun
AU - Zhenhao Guo
AU - Chang Li
AU - Xiaoqing Liu
AU - Huimin Zhou
AU - Yanming Deng
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/03
JO - BMC plant biology
DO - 10.1186/s12870-026-09671-8
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958484
AB - Yellow flower coloration is a key trait of high value in the ornamental horticulture industry. Rhododendron molle G. Don, a deciduous species prized for its distinctive yellow blooms and bioactive compounds, is a valuable resource for breeding and medicinal applications. β-carotene has been established as the primary pigment responsible for yellow coloration in R. molle petals, and RmLCYB is a key candidate gene in the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway. However, the molecular mechanism controlling the accumulation of β-carotene in R. molle flowers is still unclear, and the information about R2R3-MYB genes in R. molle is limited. In this study, 106 RmR2R3-MYB genes were identified and divided into 31 subgroups. RNA-seq analysis characterized the expression profiles of differentially expressed genes including R2R3-MYB and carotenoid biosynthesis genes. Subsequently, quantitative real-time PCR validation highlighted seven critical carotenoid biosynthesis genes and five differentially expressed RmMYBs. Expression correlation analysis revealed that RmMYB90 was positively correlated with RmLCYB2, whereas RmMYB28 and RmMYB100 were negatively correlated. Yeast one-hybrid and dual-LUC assays demonstrated that RmMYB100 directly binds to the RmLCYB2 promoter and represses its transcription. This study provides the first functional insight into the R2R3-MYB family in R. molle and identifies candidate regulators of carotenoid synthesis. These candidate regulators provide targets for further functional characterization and may guide breeders in developing new ornamental cultivars with manipulated carotenoid yield and composition.
SN - 1471-2229
ER -