Metabolic analysis of MYB30, which regulates iron deficiency stress in Arabidopsis

Qianyuan Gong^*

• College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China

Iron is an essential microelement for animals, humans, and plants. Notably, approximately one-third of the world's soils are alkaline, leading to iron deficiency. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of iron absorption and transport in plants is crucial for improving iron bioavail-ability in crops. In this research, reverse genetics was used to identify the transcription factor MYB30 as a positive regulator of the plant response to iron deficiency. Phenotype analysis demonstrated that MYB30 mutant plants were sensitive to iron deficiency, exhibiting reduced root length, lower chlorophyll content and elevated lipid peroxidation, whereas MYB30 overexpression lines showed enhanced tolerance. Metabolomic analysis via mass spectrometry of myb30 plant roots indicated decreased antioxidant activities and detoxification capability under iron-deficient conditions. Interestingly, twenty-two metabolic pathways were altered under iron deficiency in myb30 plant. This metabolic reprogramming likely compromises plant growth. Furthermore, MYB30 reduced reactive oxygen species accumulation under iron deficiency stress by activating related genes and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity. In summary, metabolite analysis provides detailed molecular insights into plant iron deficiency stress and supports molecular genetic breeding efforts to improve mineral nutrition in crops.