The transcription factor CaBBX10 promotes chlorophyll and carotenoid pigment accumulation in Capsicum annuum fruit

Abstract Chlorophylls and carotenoids are two pivotal photosynthetic pigments directly influencing the economic value of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruits. However, the coordinated regulatory mechanisms governing the accumulation of both chlorophylls and carotenoids during pepper fruit development remain elusive. In this study, pepper B-box 10 (CaBBX10), a candidate hub transcription factor, was found to play dual roles in the early development of pepper fruit. CaBBX10 virus-induced gene silencing and overexpression experiments demonstrated that the encoded transcription factor promotes both chlorophyll and carotenoid accumulation in pepper fruit. Further comprehensive analyses showed that CaBBX10 directly binds to the promoter of magnesium chelatase subunit D subunit (CaCHLD) and phytoene synthase 1 (CaPSY1), thereby activating their expression in the chlorophyll and carotenoid biosynthesis pathways, respectively. Additionally, the photomorphogenic factor CaCOP1 was found to physically interact with CaBBX10 and lead to its degradation. Therefore, CaBBX10 may serve as a critical link connecting chlorophyll and carotenoid biosynthesis to light signaling. Altogether, our findings reveal a mechanism for the complex transcriptional regulation that simultaneously promotes chlorophyll and carotenoid accumulation in pepper fruit.