The transcription factor bZIP44 cooperates with MYB10 and MYB72 to regulate the response of Arabidopsis thaliana to iron deficiency stress.

Nicotianamine (NA) plays a crucial role in transporting metal ions, including iron (Fe), in plants; therefore, NICOTIANAMINE SYNTHASE (NAS) genes, which control NA synthesis, are tightly regulated at the transcriptional level. However, the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of NAS genes require further investigations. In this study, we determined the role of bZIP44 in mediating plant response to Fe deficiency stress by conducting transformation experiments and assays. bZIP44 positively regulated the response of Arabidopsis to Fe deficiency stress by interacting with MYB10 and MYB72 to enhance their abilities to bind at NAS2 and NAS4 promoters, thereby increasing NAS2 and NAS4 transcriptional levels and promote NA synthesis. In summary, the transcription activities of bZIP44, MYB10, and MYB72 were induced in response to Fe deficiency stress, which enhanced the interaction between bZIP44 and MYB10 or MYB72 proteins, synergistically activated the transcriptional activity of NAS2 and NAS4, promoted NA synthesis, and improved Fe transport, thereby enhancing plant tolerance to Fe deficiency stress.