The transcriptional regulatory module CsHB5‐CsbZIP44 positively regulates abscisic acid‐mediated carotenoid biosynthesis in citrus (Citrus spp.)

Summary Carotenoids contribute to fruit coloration and are valuable sources of provitamin A in the human diet. Abscisic acid (ABA) plays an essential role in fruit coloration during citrus fruit ripening, but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Here, we identified a novel bZIP transcription activator called CsbZIP44 , which serves as a central regulator of ABA‐mediated citrus carotenoid biosynthesis. CsbZIP44 directly binds to the promoters of four carotenoid metabolism‐related genes ( CsDXR , CsGGPPs , CsBCH1 and C sNCED2 ) and activates their expression. Furthermore, our research indicates that CsHB5 , a positive regulator of ABA and carotenoid‐driven processes, activates the expression of CsbZIP44 by binding to its promoter. Additionally, CsHB5 interacts with CsbZIP44 to form a transcriptional regulatory module CsHB5‐CsbZIP44, which is responsive to ABA induction and promotes carotenoid accumulation in citrus. Interestingly, we also discover a positive feedback regulation loop between the ABA signal and carotenoid biosynthesis mediated by the CsHB5‐CsbZIP44 transcriptional regulatory module. Our findings show that CsHB5‐CsbZIP44 precisely modulates ABA signal‐mediated carotenoid metabolism, providing an effective strategy for quality improvement of citrus fruit and other crops.