MdMYB41L mediates stamen development and anthocyanin biosynthesis in apple.

MYB proteins play crucial roles in plant growth and development. In this study, we characterized MdMYB41L, a MYB transcription factor from apple (Malus domestica). Expression analysis revealed that MdMYB41L was highly expressed in leaves and anthers, and the protein was exclusively localized to the nucleus. Overexpression of MdMYB41L in Arabidopsis caused shorter siliques, anther indehiscence, and a lower seed setting rate. Artificial pollination analysis demonstrated that the stamen developmental defect resulting from MdMYB41L overexpression led to decreased fertility. The seeds from transgenic lines showed a dramatic increase in length, width, area, and weight. Overexpression of MdMYB41L suppresses anthocyanin accumulation through downregulating the expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis-related genes. Collectively, our findings highlight the important role of MdMYB41L in regulating stamen development and anthocyanin biosynthesis.