Ternary complex EjbHLH1-EjMYB2-EjAP2-1 retards low temperature-induced flesh lignification in loquat fruit

Many transcription factors (TFs), including NACs and MYBs, are involved in regulation of lignin biosynthesis during plant development and in responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. The lignin biosynthesis gene Ej4CL1 has been identified as a target for cold-induced TFs. We isolated a bHLH gene from loquat, EjbHLH1, the expression of which was negatively correlated with cold-induced fruit lignification. During low temperature storage (0 °C), EjbHLH1 transcripts were stable but accumulated during low-temperature conditioning (LTC) treatment, an acclimation process that reduces lignification during subsequent storage at 0 °C. Dual luciferase assays showed EjbHLH1 could repress Ej4CL1 promoter, but yeast one hybrid assay indicated EjbHLH1 is not able to bind to the Ej4CL1 promoter. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BIFC) indicated that EjbHLH1 could interact with EjAP2-1 and EjMYB2, two previously characterized fruit lignification related transcription factors and firefly luciferase complementation imaging assay indicated EjbHLH1, EjMYB2 and EjAP2-1 could form a ternary complex which enhanced repression of transcription from the Ej4CL1 promoter, reducing lignification at 0 °C. •EjbHLH1 was identified as a novel negative regulator of flesh lignification.•Protein-Protein interactions between bHLH, MYB and AP2/ERF.•Ternary complex of EjbHLH1-EjMYB2-EjAP2-1 enhanced repression to Ej4CL1 promoter.