Sucrose non-fermenting1-related protein kinase VcSnRK2.3 promotes anthocyanin biosynthesis in association with VcMYB1 in blueberry.

Sucrose non-fermenting1-related protein kinase-2 (SnRK2) is a plant-specific protein kinase family and an important component of the abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway. However, there is a lack of relevant studies in blueberry (). In this study, we identified six SnRK2 family members (from to ) in blueberries for the first time. In addition, we found that expression was not only positively correlated with fruit ripening but was also induced by ABA signaling. Transient expression in blueberry fruits also proved that promoted anthocyanin accumulation and the expression of anthocyanin synthesis-related genes such as , , , and . Transgenic seeds and seedlings overexpressing showed anthocyanin pigmentation. Yeast two-hybrid assays (Y2H) and Bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays (BiFC) demonstrated that could interact with the anthocyanin positive regulator . Finally, was able to enhance the binding of to the promoter. regulation transcription of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes, promoted anthocyanin accumulation in blueberry. The above results suggest that plays an important role in blueberry anthocyanin synthesis, is induced by ABA, and can interact with to promote anthocyanin biosynthesis in blueberry.