A generalist regulator: MYB transcription factors regulate the biosynthesis of active compounds in medicinal plants.

The article focuses on the role of v-Myb avian myeloblastosis viral oncogene homolog (MYB) transcription factors in regulating the biosynthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants. It reviews the biological functions and transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of MYB transcription factors, highlighting their involvement in plant development, stress responses, and the synthesis of key bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids, artemisinin, and paclitaxel. The article also discusses how MYB transcription factors interact with other regulatory proteins and pathways to modulate secondary metabolism, emphasizing their potential in metabolic engineering to enhance the yield of therapeutic compounds. Finally, it addresses challenges in stable metabolite production and suggests future directions including epigenetic approaches and rational design of transcription factors to improve medicinal plant bioactive compound synthesis.