A single MYB transcription factor with multiple functions during flower development

• Published in: The New phytologist Vol. 239; no. 5; pp. 2007 - 2025
• Main Authors: Chopy, Mathilde, Binaghi, Marta, Cannarozzi, Gina, Halitschke, Rayko, Boachon, Benoît, Heutink, Roel, Bomzan, Dikki Pedenla, Jäggi, Lea, Geest, Geert, Verdonk, Julian C., Kuhlemeier, Cris
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.09.2023; Wiley
• Subjects: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology; Botanics; CRISPR; Development Biology; flower development; flower maturation; Flowers; Flowers - physiology; Gene editing; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Genes; Genomics; Guilds; Life Sciences; Maturation; Metabolism; Mutants; Petunia; Petunia - metabolism; Phenotypes; Plant Proteins - genetics; Plant Proteins - metabolism; Plant species; Pollinators; R2R3‐MYB transcription factors; Reproduction; Senescence; starch metabolism; Subgroups; terpenoids/isoprenoids/carotenoids; Transcription; Transcription activation; Transcription factors; Transcription Factors - genetics; Transcription Factors - metabolism; Vegetal Biology; volatile compounds; senescence; Petunia; volatile compounds; flower development; flower maturation; starch metabolism; terpenoids/isoprenoids/carotenoids; R2R3-MYB transcription factors; Flower development
• ISSN: 0028-646X; 1469-8137
• DOI: 10.1111/nph.19096

Summary Members of the R2R3‐MYB transcription factor subgroup 19 (SG19) have been extensively studied in multiple plant species using different silenced or mutated lines. Some studies have proposed a function in flower opening, others in floral organ development/maturation, or specialized metabolism production. While SG19 members are clearly key players during flower development and maturation, the resulting picture is complex, confusing our understanding in how SG19 genes function. To clarify the function of the SG19 transcription factors, we used a single system, Petunia axillaris, and targeted its two SG19 members (EOB1 and EOB2) by CRISPR‐Cas9. Although EOB1 and EOB2 are highly similar, they display radically different mutant phenotypes. EOB1 has a specific role in scent emission while EOB2 has pleiotropic functions during flower development. The eob2 knockout mutants reveal that EOB2 is a repressor of flower bud senescence by inhibiting ethylene production. Moreover, partial loss‐of‐function mutants (transcriptional activation domain missing) show that EOB2 is also involved in both petal and pistil maturation through regulation of primary and secondary metabolism. Here, we provide new insights into the genetic regulation of flower maturation and senescence. It also emphasizes the function of EOB2 in the adaptation of plants to specific guilds of pollinators.