Work

Light Regulation of Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in Plants: From Mechanisms to Applications

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Anthocyanins are vital water-soluble flavonoid pigments with extensive ecological, physiological, and nutritional functions in plants, and light acts as a core environmental regulator driving their biosynthesis. This review summarizes the latest advances in light-mediated anthocyanin biosynthesis, covering the conserved anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway, key regulatory modules (COP1-HY5), and molecular mechanisms modulated by light signals (HY5, PIFs, and BBXs). We elaborate on the integration of light with endogenous (phytohormones and sugars) and exogenous (temperature) factors, as well as epigenetic modification on anthocyanin biosynthesis. Furthermore, we outlook anthocyanin-regulation-based biotechnological and agricultural applications, and propose future research directions aiming to provide theoretical support for precise regulation of anthocyanin production to improve crop quality.

Source: Plant Cell & Environment

DOI: 10.1111/pce.70682

Authors: Shenhua Ye, Hetong Zhang, Rongzhan Guan, Rongcheng Lin

Institutions: Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production

Language: English

Topic: Plant Gene Expression Analysis

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation