Ethylene (ET) and jasmonic acid (JA) are crucial hormones that promote anthocyanin synthesis in apple (Malus × domestica). However, the mechanism by which these hormones cooperate to modulate anthocyanin production in apple is unclear. According to our results, MdERF1B expression was strongly induced by ET and JA. Physiological phenotypes and the results of molecular biological analyses indicated that MdERF1B encodes a positive regulator of anthocyanin synthesis. Specifically, MdERF1B was capable of combining directly with MdMYC2 promoter for promoting gene levels. Additionally, MdERF1B interacted with two JA signaling pathway inhibitors, namely MdJAZ5 and MdJAZ10. The MdERF1B–MdJAZ5/10 protein complex decreased the ability of MdERF1B to activate the MdMYC2 promoter. Furthermore, MdEIL1, which is a crucial protein for ET signal transduction, was observed to bind directly to the MdERF1B promoter, thereby upregulating gene expression. These results suggest that MdERF1B is a core gene responsive to JA and ET signals. The encoded protein, together with MdMYC2, MdJAZ5/10, and MdEIL1, modulate anthocyanin synthesis in apple. This study clarifies the synergistic mechanism by which JA and ET regulate anthocyanin production in apple.

中文翻译：

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MdERF1B-MdMYC2模块整合乙烯和茉莉酸调控苹果花青素的生物合成

乙烯 (ET) 和茉莉酸 (JA) 是促进苹果 (Malus × domestica) 中花青素合成的重要激素。然而，这些激素协同调节苹果花青素产生的机制尚不清楚。根据我们的结果，ET 和 JA 强烈诱导 MdERF1B 表达。生理表型和分子生物学分析结果表明，MdERF1B 编码花青素合成的正向调节因子。具体来说，MdERF1B 能够直接与 MdMYC2 启动子结合以提高基因水平。此外，MdERF1B 与两种 JA 信号通路抑制剂 MdJAZ5 和 MdJAZ10 相互作用。MdERF1B–MdJAZ5/10 蛋白复合物降低了 MdERF1B 激活 MdMYC2 启动子的能力。此外，作为 ET 信号转导的关键蛋白 MdEIL1，观察到直接与 MdERF1B 启动子结合，从而上调基因表达。这些结果表明 MdERF1B 是对 JA 和 ET 信号有反应的核心基因。编码的蛋白质与 MdMYC2、MdJAZ5/10 和 MdEIL1 一起调节苹果中的花青素合成。本研究阐明了JA和ET调控苹果花青素产生的协同机制。