@article{Li2026, 
author = {Xuyan Li and Shouwen Wang and Hongxue Li and Fangyun Qian and Haiyang Wang and Jingying Wang and Lulu Zhai and Baosheng Shi and Junwei Huo and Shaomin Bian},
title = {Transcriptome and metabolome analysis reveals regulatory network associated with light-independent anthocyanin biosynthesis in blueberry fruit},
year = {2026},
journal = {Horticultural Plant Journal},
volume = {12},
number = {3},
pages = {584-602},
keywords = {Vaccinium corymbosum, Bagging, Light-independent regulation, Transcriptome, Metabolome, Anthocyanins, MYBA, Ethylene signaling},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.1016/j.hpj.2025.02.004},
doi = {10.1016/j.hpj.2025.02.004},
abstract = {Anthocyanins are vital secondary metabolites contributing to fruit pigmentation and antioxidative properties. While light is a well-known regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis, the molecular basis of light-independent anthocyanin accumulation remains underexplored. In this study, integrated analysis of metabolome and transcriptome showed that the anthocyanin content in blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Bluetta’) fruit was slightly decreased by light-impermeable bagging treatment, while anthocyanin biosynthetic genes were transcriptionally inhibited to different levels, suggesting a slight influence of the bagging treatment on anthocyanin accumulation. Further observation showed that fruit bagging did not alter ethylene production but decreased ABA content. Noticeably, two VcMYBA/MYB1s were not transcriptionally altered by the light-impermeable bagging treatment. Consistently, histochemical GUS analysis and pharmacological manipulation suggested light-independent and ethylene-inducible expression of VcMYBA/MYB1. Moreover, WGCNA analysis revealed 3759 genes positively associated with MYBA/MYB1 such as ethylene-associated genes, etc. Additionally, VcbZIP55s and VcCOP1s were activated and inactivated by the bagging treatment, respectively. These findings provided a framework of light-independent anthocyanin biosynthesis in blueberry fruit.}
}