Apple bZIP transcription factor MdbZIP44 regulates abscisic acid‐promoted anthocyanin accumulation

The molecular mechanism of ABA‐promoted anthocyanin accumulation and fruit coloration is less known. Here, an apple bZIP transcription factor MdbZIP44 was identified to be a positive regulator in ABA‐promoted anthocyanin accumulation by interacting with MdMYB1 and enhancing its binding capacity to the promoters of downstream target genes. MdBT2 decreased ABA‐promoted anthocyanin accumulation by degrading MdbZIP44 protein.