FaMYB11 promotes the accumulation of volatile esters by regulating FaLOX5 during strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) ripening

Aroma is a vital characteristic that determines the quality and commercial value of fruit. Fatty acids (FAs) are key precursors for fruit aroma volatiles. In Arabidopsis thaliana, TT2/MYB123 inhibited the seed embryo FA biosynthesis. We analyzed the function and regulation of the MYB123 homolog (Fragaria × ananassa [Fa] MYB11) for FA metabolism, especially lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway. FaLOX5 was correlated with volatile esters formation. FaMYB11 was a functional homologue of the AtTT2/AtMYB123 and a nucleus-localized ripening-related R2R3 MYB transcription factor (TF). FaMYB11 overexpression advanced ripening initiation, volatiles accumulation, whereas its silencing delayed these events. Volatile-related genes in LOX pathway were significantly upregulated in FaMYB11 overexpression fruit and downregulated in its silencing fruit. We also demonstrated that FaMYB11 could physically bind to and trans-activate FaLOX5 promoter. In conclusion, we proposed that FaMYB11 could promoted the volatile accumulation partly through the transcriptional regulation of FaLOX5 during strawberry ripening.