Light Regulation of Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in Plants: From Mechanisms to Applications

Anthocyanins are vital water-soluble flavonoid pigments with extensive ecological, physiological, and nutritional functions in plants, and light acts as a core environmental regulator driving their biosynthesis. This review summarizes the latest advances in light-mediated anthocyanin biosynthesis, covering the conserved anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway, key regulatory modules (COP1-HY5), and molecular mechanisms modulated by light signals (HY5, PIFs, and BBXs). We elaborate on the integration of light with endogenous (phytohormones and sugars) and exogenous (temperature) factors, as well as epigenetic modification on anthocyanin biosynthesis. Furthermore, we outlook anthocyanin-regulation-based biotechnological and agricultural applications, and propose future research directions aiming to provide theoretical support for precise regulation of anthocyanin production to improve crop quality.