Identification of the Eutrema salsugineum EsMYB90 gene important for anthocyanin biosynthesis

Abstract Background Anthocyanins contribute to coloration and antioxidation effects in different plant tissues. MYB transcription factors have been demonstrated to be a key regulator for anthocyanin synthesis in many plants. However, little information was available about the MYB genes in the halophyte species Eutrema salsugineum . Result Here we report the identification of an important anthocyanin biosynthesis regulator Es MYB90 from Eutrema salsugineum , which is a halophyte tolerant to multiple abiotic stresses. Our phylogenetic and localization analyses supported that Es MYB90 is an R2R3 type of MYB transcription factor. Ectopic expression of EsMYB90 in tobacco and Arabidopsis enhanced pigmentation and anthocyanin accumulation in various organs. The transcriptome analysis revealed that 42 genes upregulated by Es MYB90 in 35S : EsMYB90 tobacco transgenic plants are required for anthocyanin biosynthesis. Moreover, our qRT-PCR results showed that Es MYB90 promoted expression of early ( PAL , CHS , and CHI ) and late ( DFR , ANS , and UFGT ) anthocyanin biosynthesis genes in stems, leaves, and flowers of 35S : EsMYB90 tobacco transgenic plants. Conclusions Our results indicated that Es MYB90 is a MYB transcription factor, which regulates anthocyanin biosynthesis genes to control anthocyanin biosynthesis. Our work provides a new tool to enhance anthocyanin production in various plants.