The molecular network regulating the coloration in apple

• Genes participating in anthocyanin biosynthesis were introduced.
• MYB/bHLH/WD40 complex was summarized, especially about MYB repressors.
• It incorporated the external stimuli affecting red coloration in apple.
• Their molecular links including hierarchical regulatory factors were contained.

Preferences for the appearance of apples may vary from country to country and region to region, but polished redness is undeniably eye-catching and could easily win a good first impression. Anthocyanin is considered as the dominant pigment responsible for the red coloration in apple. Many reports have been published to elucidate the biosynthetic genes and the upstream regulatory genes involved in the anthocyanin accumulation. This paper reviews the recent studies on the biosynthetic and regulatory genes associated with the pigmentation as well as the external stimuli affecting anthocyanin production in apple.