Characterization of MxFIT, an iron deficiency induced transcriptional factor in Malus xiaojinensis

• We cloned an iron-related transcription factor, MxFIT, from Malus xiaojinensis.
• MxFIT was localized in the nucleus and had transcriptional activation activity.
• MxFIT were induced under iron deficiency at both mRNA and protein levels.
• Overexpression MxFIT resulted in high resistance to iron limitation in Arabidopsis.
• MxFIT may regulate iron uptake and participate in iron-deficiency response.

Iron deficiency often results in nutritional disorder in fruit trees. Transcription factors play an important role in the regulation of iron uptake. In this study, we isolated an iron deficiency response transcription factor gene, MxFIT, from an iron-efficient apple genotype of Malus xiaojinensis. MxFIT encoded a basic helix-loop-helix protein and contained a 966 bp open reading frame. MxFIT protein was targeted to the nucleus in onion epidermal cells and showed strong transcriptional activation in yeast cells. Spatiotemporal expression analysis revealed that MxFIT was up-regulated in roots under iron deficiency at both mRNA and protein levels, while almost no expression was detected in leaves irrespective of iron supply. Ectopic expression of MxFIT resulted in enhanced iron deficiency responses in Arabidopsis under iron deficiency and stronger resistance to iron deficiency. Thus, MxFIT might be involved in iron uptake and plays an important role in iron deficiency response.