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Results for “Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH)”

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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

The SCL gene product: a positive regulator of erythroid differentiation.

The SCL (tal-1, TCL5) gene is a member of the basic domain, helix-loop-helix (bHLH) class of putative transcription factors. We found that (i) the SCL promoter for exon Ia contains a potential recognition site for GATA-binding transcription factors, (ii) SCL mRNA is expressed in all erythroid tissues and cell lines examined, and (iii) SCL mRNA increases upon induced differentiation of murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells, and inferred that SCL may play a physiologic role in erythroid differentiation. We used gel shift and transfection assays to demonstrate that the GATA motif in the SCL promoter binds GATA-1 (and GATA-2), and also mediates transcriptional transactivation. To identify a role for SCL in erythroid differentiation, we generated stable transfectants of MEL and K562 (a human chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line that can differentiate along the erythroid pathway) cells overexpressing wild-type, antisense or mutant SCL cDNA. Increasing the level of SCL expression in two independent MEL lines (F4-6 and C19, a 745 derivative) and K562 cells increased the rate of spontaneous (i.e. in the absence of inducer) erythroid differentiation. Conversely, induced differentiation was inhibited in MEL transfectants expressing either antisense SCL cDNA or a mutant SCL lacking the basic domain. Our experiments suggest that the SCL gene can be a target for the erythroid transcription factor GATA-1 and that the SCL gene product serves as a positive regulator of erythroid differentiation.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1992

Single amino acid substitutions alter helix-loop-helix protein specificity for bases flanking the core CANNTG motif.

While all basic region/helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins bind the consensus CANNTG motif, other factors must be involved in determining regulatory specificity. In this report we show that bases outside this core 6 bp are involved in determining the specificity of binding. Thus, binding of the yeast bHLH protein PHO4, but not CPF-1, is inhibited by the presence of a T residue immediately 5' to their common CACGTG recognition sequence. PHO4 binding specificity is altered by mutation at any of three different positions in the basic region, including a single Glu to Asp substitution. The significance of these data for DNA-binding and transcription regulation by the bHLH family of transcription factors is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

A human DNA replication origin: localization and transcriptional characterization.

A single-copy 13.7 kb human DNA region (L30E) located on Ch. 19 p13.3 contains an origin of DNA replication in myeloid HL-60 cells. The origin was localized, by means of quantitative PCR within approximately 3000 bp, in a highly transcribed region containing at least two closely spaced genes with the same polarity of transcription, one encoding lamin B2 and the other an unidentified protein. The origin region overlaps an undermethylated "CpG island" at the 5'-end of the second transcription unit. A binding site (CACGTG) for basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) DNA binding proteins such as USF/MLTF or MYC-MAX was located by DNase I footprinting analysis in the promoter of the second gene. DMSO differentiation of HL-60 cells, that completely shuts off replication, also drastically reduces the transcription of L30E region. On the other hand such treatment does not modify the methylation pattern of the CpG island and does not abolish the DNase I protection of the bHLH binding site.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2026

CgMYC2 directly activates jasmonate-induced naringin biosynthesis in Citrus grandis 'Tomentosa'.

CgMYC2 links jasmonate signaling to naringin biosynthesis by binding G-box motifs and activating flavonoid-pathway promoters in Citrus grandis 'Tomentosa' Naringin, the predominant bitter-flavanone glycoside in Citrus grandis 'Tomentosa', has well-characterized biosynthetic enzymes, yet the transcriptional regulators coupling hormonal signals to pathway activation remain poorly understood. We demonstrate that CgMYC2, a jasmonate-responsive bHLH transcription factor, functions as a central activator of naringin biosynthesis. Exogenous methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment increased naringin content 3.45-fold in seedlings, coinciding with a rapid 6.6-fold induction of CgMYC2 that preceded the peak transcription of five core biosynthetic genes (CgPAL5, CgCHS, CgFNS, Cg7GlcT, and Cg1,2RhaT). Physical interaction between CgMYC2 and the JAZ protein CgJAZ3 was confirmed by pull-down and Co-IP assays, placing CgMYC2 within the canonical jasmonate signaling cascade. Y1H confirmed CgMYC2 binding to the Cg1,2RhaT promoter, EMSA demonstrated direct G-box-dependent binding to all five pathway promoters, and dual-luciferase assays showed transactivation of all five promoters, with the strongest activation for CgCHS. As complementary chromatin-level support, a single-sample CUT&Tag profile revealed G-box-enriched CgMYC2-associated chromatin regions across jasmonate-responsive and secondary-metabolic loci. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of CgMYC2 reduced naringin content by ~21% and suppressed biosynthetic gene expression, supporting its positive contribution. Furthermore, heterologous overexpression in tomato activated the flavonoid pathway and elevated 16 flavonoid compounds, consistent with evolutionary conservation of the MYC2-G-box regulatory logic. These findings establish CgMYC2 as a central, JA-responsive activator bridging jasmonate perception and naringin biosynthesis, providing a molecular framework for the targeted improvement of bitter-flavonoid traits in citrus.

Citrus↗

PubMed2025

Genome-wide identification and analysis of paclobutrazol-resistance gene family in cotton and the positive role of GhPRE3 in salt stress and drought stress resistance.

Compared with other transcription factors, much less studies have been performed on paclobutrazol-resistance (PRE), a subgroup of the extensive bHLH transcription factor gene family, and the research in cotton was also limited. By utilizing the PRE genes and their conserved domains identified in Arabidopsis, a total of 23, 22, 11, and 12 PRE genes were identified from two major cultivated cotton species and their two ancestors, respectively. The cotton PRE gene family was categorized into three subgroups based on evolutionary tree analysis. Motif and intron analyses indicated that the PRE gene has remained highly conserved throughout evolution. Collinearity analysis indicated that gene duplication, particularly through fragment replication, has significantly contributed to the expansion of the cotton PRE family. An exploration of the conserved elements within the PRE gene family uncovered numerous elements associated with plant stress resistance. Additionally, cotton transcriptome and qRT-PCR analysis showed that PRE genes were associated with a variety of abiotic stresses, including salt, drought, and cold treatments. Subcellular localization experiments indicated that the GhPRE3 gene is associated with membrane proteins. Finally, we selected the GhPRE3 gene for a VIGS experiment, which revealed that under salt stress and drought stress conditions, the wilting of leaves in the GhPRE3-silenced plants was significantly more severe than that observed in the control group, with T-AOC levels notably lower and MDA levels significantly higher. Overexpression of GhPRE3 enhanced seed germination and root development in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana under salt stress and drought stresses. This suggests that GhPRE3 plays a positive regulatory role in cotton tolerance to salt and drought stressed, providing a reference for molecular genetic breeding of cotton with salt and drought tolerance.

Gossypium↗

PubMed2026

Heterologous expression of DobHLH25 from Dendrobium officinale enhances drought tolerance in Arabidopsis.

Drought stress severely constrains the growth, yield, and accumulation of bioactive compounds in Dendrobium officinale (D. officinale), a valuable medicinal orchid, and this challenge is exacerbated under simulated wild cultivation where plants are inevitably exposed to recurring water deficits. Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors are well-established regulators of plant abiotic stress responses. However, the molecular mechanisms by which bHLH transcription factors respond to drought stress in this species remain largely unknown. In this study, a bHLH transcription factor gene, DobHLH25, was cloned from D. officinale. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that DobHLH25 shares the highest sequence identity with its ortholog in Dendrobium nobile. Additionally, subcellular localization analysis indicated that DobHLH25 is targeted to the nucleus and possesses a functional transcriptional activation domain. Expression pattern analysis showed that DobHLH25 is most abundantly expressed in old leaves, and its expression in roots, stems, and leaves is induced by polyethylene glycol treatments. Heterologous expression of DobHLH25 in Arabidopsis thaliana resulted in higher seed germination rates and longer root lengths under mannitol-induced osmotic stress compared to wild-type plants. Under drought stress, DobHLH25 heterologous expression lines exhibited higher survival rates, reduced leaf water loss, lower malondialdehyde accumulation, and increased proline content. Moreover, the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and peroxidase were significantly enhanced, and the expression levels of multiple drought-responsive genes were markedly upregulated. Collectively, these findings suggest a correlation between DobHLH25 expression and plant drought tolerance, as evidenced by reduced oxidative damage, increased osmolyte accumulation, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, and upregulation of drought-responsive genes. Together, these results suggest that DobHLH25 plays a positive role in drought tolerance, and provides a basis for future dissection of its regulatory network in D. officinale.

Drought Resistance↗

PubMed2026

Identification and functional analysis of MeJA-responsive bHLH family genes in Taraxacum kok-saghyz.

Taraxacum kok-saghyz (T. kok-saghyz) is considered a highly promising alternative source of natural rubber (NR), as its roots synthesize high-molecular-weight NR comparable to that produced by Hevea brasiliensis. The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family of transcription factors (TFs) plays crucial roles in plant organogenesis, hormonal signal transduction, and the regulation of secondary metabolism. This study aimed to systematically identify TkbHLH family members and to elucidate their potential functions in responding to methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and regulating root development. Based on the T. kok-saghyz genome, 172 TkbHLH members were identified and phylogenetically classified into 16 subfamilies. Among these, 37 genes were selected due to their significant induction by MeJA. Sequence analysis confirmed all encoded proteins contain the conserved bHLH domain. Subcellular localization verified nuclear localization of five core TkbHLH proteins. Interactions were shown by yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation, revealing these proteins form homodimers and heterodimers. Notably, a specific interaction was detected between TkbHLH162 and TkHMGS1, a key enzyme in the mevalonate (MVA) pathway, suggesting a potential molecular link between JA signaling and the rubber biosynthesis precursor pathway. Functional characterization via overexpression assays showed that selected TkbHLH genes significantly either promoted or inhibited root elongation. In summary, this study presents the first systematic characterization of the bHLH TF family in T. kok-saghyz, elucidating its involvement in JA signal response, protein interaction networks, and root development regulation. These findings provide a crucial foundation for further investigation into the molecular mechanisms by which TkbHLH TFs influence root morphogenesis and NR biosynthesis in T. kok-saghyz.

Taraxacum kok-saghyz (T. kok-saghyz)↗

PubMed1992

The gene for the helix-loop-helix protein, Id, is specifically expressed in neural precursors.

While mammalian neurogenesis has been characterized extensively, the molecules involved in regulating neural cell determination and differentiation remain ill-defined. There is accruing evidence that various members of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein family critically regulate these biological processes in a number of tissues. Id, a negative regulator of bHLH proteins, was found to exhibit peak gene expression during mouse embryogenesis with a striking pattern in the central nervous system. Id transcripts were specifically localized to undifferentiated neural precursors of the ventricular zone and were not present in their differentiated derivatives. In addition, in the peripheral nervous system, dorsal root ganglia sensory precursors, known to be undifferentiated while dividing, also expressed Id mRNA. However, in the sympathetic nervous system and adrenal medulla, where differentiation and division occur simultaneously in precursors, Id was not expressed. Since Id transcript abundance inversely correlated with differentiation, this protein, similar to its Drosophila homolog, extramacrochaetae, may play a negative regulatory role in neural differentiation.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Dual Mechanisms Underlie the Repression of Repressor Element 1-Silencing Transcription Factor Expression in Lung Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Cells.

Recent advances in genetic analysis have led to further subtyping of small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). The major subtypes of SCLC are the achaete-scute family bHLH transcription factor 1 (ASCL1)-predominant (SCLC-A), neuronal differentiation 1 (NEUROD1)-predominant (SCLC-N), and POU class 2 homeobox 3 (POU2F3) (SCLC-P) subtypes. SCLC-A and SCLC-N tumors express chromogranin A (CHGA) and synaptophysin (SYP), but SCLC-P tumors do not. Large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, another type of neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), also frequently expresses CHGA and SYP. Because CHGA and SYP expression is controlled by a transrepressor, repressor element 1-silencing transcription factor (REST), the mechanisms underlying REST suppression in NEC were investigated, with a focus on miRNAs and epigenetics, to determine the causes of the differences in the expression of CHGA and SYP between SCLC-A/N and SCLC-P cells. The results showed that miR-375-3p, which was induced by ASCL1 and NEUROD1, repressed REST expression by binding to the 3'-untranslated region of REST mRNA. Bisulfite sequencing and experiments using a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, and chromatin immunoprecipitation-based quantitative PCR revealed that promoter/enhancer hypermethylation and histone deacetylation causes REST gene inactivation in SCLC-A/N. These phenomena were also observed in a large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma cell line that expressed high levels of ASCL1 and NEUROD1. Taken together, these findings suggest that NEC has dual repressive effects on REST expression, resulting in strict regulation of the expression of CHGA, SYP, and other REST-controlled neuronal/neuroendocrine-specific genes.

Humans↗

PubMed1992

Transcriptional activation by the human c-Myc oncoprotein in yeast requires interaction with Max.

The c-myc protein (Myc) contains an amino-terminal transcriptional activation domain and a carboxy-terminal basic helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper (bHLH-Z) domain that directs dimerization of Myc with its partner, the max protein (Max), and promotes DNA binding to sites containing a CACGTG core consensus sequence. Despite these characteristics and the observation that Myc can modulate gene expression, a direct role for Myc or Max as transcription factors has never been demonstrated. Here we use Saccharomyces cerevisiae as an in vivo model system to show that the Myc protein is a sequence-specific transcriptional activator whose DNA binding is strictly dependent on dimerization with Max. Transactivation is mediated by the amino-terminal domain of Myc. We find that Max homodimers bind to the same DNA sequence as Myc+Max but that they fail to transactivate and thus can antagonize Myc+Max function. We also show that the Max HLH-Z domain has a higher affinity for the Myc HLH-Z domain than for itself, and suggest that the heterodimeric Myc+Max activator forms preferentially at equilibrium.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2025

ATOH8 confers the vulnerability of tumor cells to ferroptosis by repressing SCD expression.

Emerging evidence indicates that transcriptional regulation plays pivotal roles in modulating cellular vulnerability to ferroptosis. However, the intricate mechanisms governing these processes remain poorly understood. In this study, we identify ATOH8, a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor, as a key player in ferroptosis regulation. ATOH8 is significantly upregulated in tumor cells following treatment with a ferroptosis inducer. Overexpression of ATOH8 increases the susceptibility of tumor cells to ferroptosis, while deletion of ATOH8 promotes ferroptosis evasion. Mechanistically, ATOH8 confers the sensitivity of tumor cells to ferroptosis by suppressing the transcription of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD). Additionally, another bHLH family member, TCF3, is found to functions as a co-factor with ATOH8 by forming a TCF3-ATOH8 transcriptional repressive complex that suppresses SCD transcription. Furthermore, searching for upstream element reveals that EZH2 epigenetically suppresses ATOH8 expression by promoting DNA methylation in the ATOH8 promoter region and increasing the level of H3K27 me3. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of EZH2 in a combined with a ferroptosis inducer markedly impedes tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, our study elucidates a molecular link between ferroptosis and epigenetic and transcriptional regulation, highlighting the potential of EZH2 and ATOH8 as therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.

Ferroptosis↗

PubMed1992

HEN1 and HEN2: a subgroup of basic helix-loop-helix genes that are coexpressed in a human neuroblastoma.

An important family of regulatory molecules is made up of proteins that possess the DNA-binding and dimerization motif known as the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) domain. The bHLH family includes subgroups of closely related proteins that share common functional properties and overlapping patterns of expression (e.g., the MyoD1 and achaete-scute subgroups). In this report we describe HEN1 and HEN2, mammalian genes that encode a distinct subgroup of bHLH proteins. The HEN1 gene was identified on the basis of cross-hybridization with TAL1, a known bHLH gene implicated in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In situ fluorescence hybridization was used to localize the human HEN1 gene to chromosome band 1q22. HEN1 and HEN2 are coexpressed in the IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cell line, and they encode highly related proteins of 133 and 135 residues, respectively, that share 98% amino acid identity in their hHLH domains. These data imply that the bHLH protein subgroup encoded by HEN1 and HEN2 may serve important regulatory functions in the developing nervous system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

DNA binding and transcriptional regulatory activity of mammalian achaete-scute homologous (MASH) proteins revealed by interaction with a muscle-specific enhancer.

The MASH genes are vertebrate homologues of achaete-scute, genes required for neuronal determination in Drosophila. The sequence of MASH1 and MASH2 contains a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) motif that is present in other transcriptional regulators such as MyoD and E12. In the absence of an authentic target for the MASH proteins, we examined their DNA binding and transcriptional regulatory activity by using a binding site (the E box) from the muscle creatine kinase (MCK) gene, a target of MyoD. Like myogenic bHLH proteins, the MASH proteins form heterooligomers with E12 that bind the MCK E box with high affinity in vitro. Unexpectedly, however, MASH1 and MASH2 also activate transcription of both exogenous and endogenous MCK in transfected C3H/10T1/2 fibroblasts. However, they do not induce myogenesis. Myogenic activity is not exclusively a property of the MyoD basic region, as substitution of this domain fails to confer myogenic activity on MASH1. These data suggest that different bHLH proteins may activate overlapping but distinct sets of target genes in the same cell type.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Retinoic acid induces myogenin synthesis and myogenic differentiation in the rat rhabdomyosarcoma cell line BA-Han-1C.

Two clonal rat rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines BA-Han-1B and BA-Han-1C with different capacities for myogenic differentiation have been examined for the expression of muscle regulatory basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins of the MyoD family. Whereas cells of the BA-Han-1C subpopulation constitutively expressed MyoD1 and could be induced to differentiate with retinoic acid (RA), BA-Han-1B cells did not express any of the myogenic control factors and appeared to be largely differentiation-defective. Upon induction with RA, BA-Han-1C cells expressed also myogenin, in contrast to BA-Han-1B cells which never activated any of the genes encoding muscle bHLH factors. The onset of myogenin transcription in BA-Han-1C cells required de novo protein synthesis and DNA replication suggesting that RA probably did not act directly on the myogenin gene. Although MyoD1 was expressed in proliferating BA-Han-1C myoblasts, muscle-specific reporter genes were not activated indicating that MyoD was biologically inactive. However, transfections with plasmid expressing additional MyoD1 protein resulted in the transactivation of muscle genes even in the absence of RA. mRNA encoding the negative regulatory HLH protein Id was expressed in proliferating BA-Han-1C cells and disappeared later after RA induction which suggested that it may be involved in the regulation of MyoD1 activity. The myogenic differentiation of malignant rhabdomyosarcoma cells strictly correlated with the activation of the myogenin gene. In fact, stable transfections of BA-Han-1C cells with myogenin expressing plasmids resulted in spontaneous differentiation. Together, our results suggest that the transformed and undifferentiated phenotype of BA-Han-1C rhabdomyosarcoma cells is associated with the inactivation of the myogenic factor MyoD1 as well as lack of myogenin expression. RA alleviates the inhibition of myogenic differentiation, probably by activating MyoD protein and myogenin gene transcription. BA-Han-1B cells did not respond to RA and the differentiated phenotype could not be restored by overexpression of MyoD1 or myogenin.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

The link between phosphate starvation-triggered anthocyanin biosynthesis and jasmonate-driven regulation in tomato.

Phosphate Starvation Response (PSR) in plants integrates inorganic phosphate (Pi) sensing with hormonal and metabolic reprogramming. Recent evidence supports a PSR-jasmonate (JA)-anthocyanin axis in which the PSR-associated PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE (PHR)/PHR-like-SYG1-PHO81-XPR1-inositol pyrophosphate 8 (PHR/PHL-SPX-InsP8) module gates transcriptional activation, while the core JA components JASMONATE ZIM-DOMAIN (JAZ) and MYELOCYTOMATOSIS 2 (MYC2) mediate hormone-induced activation of secondary metabolism. In Solanum lycopersicum, PHR/PHL transcription factors (TFs) serve as core PSR hubs, with expanded regulatory networks and InsP-associated control layers that tune SPX buffering and transcriptional output. Downstream, JA signaling and MYC2-dependent transcription interface with anthocyanin regulators, including key MYB and bHLH TFs that form the MYB-basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH)-WD40 repeat (MBW) complex, thereby regulating tissue capacity for pigmentation under Pi starvation (PiS). Anthocyanin-rich tomato cultivars such as 'Indigo Rose' exemplify how genetic configuration can enhance MBW responsiveness and potentiate pigment accumulation under PiS. Here, we collate recent advances linking PSR gating, JA response, and anthocyanin biosynthesis regulation in tomato, and propose a working model with testable predictions to accelerate causal validation, and enable breeding strategies targeting phosphorus use efficiency and nutritional quality.

Solanum lycopersicum↗

PubMed1992

The centromere and promoter factor 1 of yeast contains a dimerisation domain located carboxy-terminal to the bHLH domain.

CPF1 is a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein required for optimal centromere function and for maintaining methionine independent growth in yeast. In this work, we show that the region carboxy-terminal to the bHLH domain of CPF1 is essential for CPF1 function in the cell and for dimerisation of CPF1 in solution. The C-terminus of CPF1 contains a potential long amphipathic helix with a hydrophobic face which could provide a suitable protein:protein interface. Point mutations in residues forming this hydrophobic face are sufficient to weaken the interaction between the protein and DNA. By fusing the DNA binding domain or the transcriptional activation domain of GAL4 to the C-terminal 87 amino acids of CPF1, we show that this region is sufficient for mediating protein:protein interactions in vivo. The C-terminal domain of CPF1 can be replaced by the leucine repeat region of the bHLH-ZIP protein USF and the hybrid CPF1-USF protein functions in vivo to provide normal centromere function and methionine independent growth. However, the CPF1-USF hybrid protein is unable to interact with CPF1 suggesting that a dimer of CPF1 is sufficient for maintaining methionine independent growth and normal centromere function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Different E-box regulatory sequences are functionally distinct when placed within the context of the troponin I enhancer.

Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) regulatory proteins are known to bind to a single DNA consensus sequence referred to as an E-box. The E-box is present in the regulatory elements of many developmentally controlled genes, including most muscle-specific genes such as troponin I (TnI). Although the E-box consensus is minimally defined as CANNTG, the adjacent nucleotides of functional E-boxes are variable for genes regulated by the bHLH proteins. In order to examine how E-box regulatory regions containing different internal and flanking nucleotides function when placed within the context of a single regulatory element, the E-box region (14 bp) present within the TnI enhancer was substituted with the corresponding E-box sequences derived from the muscle-specific M-creatine kinase (MCK) and cardiac alpha-actin regulatory elements as well as from the immunoglobulin kappa (Ig kappa) enhancer. Within the TnI enhancer, the E-box sequence derived from cardiac alpha-actin was inactive whereas the corresponding sequence from the MCK right E-box efficiently restored wild-type enhancer activity in muscle cells. Intermediate levels of gene activity were observed for TnI enhancers containing E-boxes derived from the MCK left E-box site or from the Ig kappa E2 E-box. DNA binding studies of MyoD:E12 protein complexes with each substituted TnI enhancer confirmed that DNA binding activity in vitro mimics the relative strength of the enhancers in vivo. These studies demonstrate that the specific nucleotide composition of individual E-boxes, which are contained within the regulatory elements of most if not all muscle-specific genes, contributes to the complex regulatory mechanisms governing bHLH-mediated gene expression.

Actins↗

PubMed2026

Natural variation in the PmbHLH162 promoter regulates anthocyanin biosynthesis and accumulation in Prunus mume.

Anthocyanin accumulation is a vital agronomic and ornamental trait, as it not only contributes to adaptation to environmental stress but also enhances ornamental value. In this study, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted using 328 accessions of mei (Prunus mume) to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with red pigmentation in petals, filaments, and xylem. Based on these significant SNPs, we defined 2 haplotypes (bHLH162hap1 and bHLH162hap2) and identified PmbHLH162, a bHLH transcription factor gene responsible for anthocyanin biosynthesis regulation. Transient silencing of PmbHLH162 in mei petals via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation resulted in significant color fading, whereas its overexpression dramatically elevated anthocyanin levels. Haplotype analysis showed that 2 promoter variants in bHLH162hap2 (Chr03_2669885 A/C and Chr03_2670272 A/G) alter the binding affinity of transcription factors PmWRKY18 and PmWRKY70. Stronger binding to the G/C alleles gave rise to higher PmbHLH162 expression in bHLH162hap2, thereby promoted red pigmentation in multiple tissues. By contrast, accessions carrying bHLH162hap1 displayed light/colorless phenotype without accumulation of red pigment. Furthermore, PmbHLH162 interacted respectively with PmMYC2, PmTT8, and PmEGL1 to form heterodimers, and markedly enhanced PmMYC2-mediated transcriptional activation of the anthocyanin biosynthetic structural genes PmCHS and PmANS. Geographic haplotype analysis revealed that bHLH162hap2 was predominantly enriched in high-latitude northern populations but was declining markedly at lower latitudes. Collectively, our study reveals the genetic and molecular basis underlying anthocyanin accumulation in mei and identifies a PmbHLH162-PmMYC2 regulatory module in which PmbHLH162 enhances PmMYC2-mediated activation of key anthocyanin biosynthetic genes. The additional interactions of PmbHLH162 with the MBW-associated bHLH factors PmTT8 and PmEGL1 further suggest potential crosstalk between this module and the canonical anthocyanin regulatory network.

Anthocyanins↗