LcMADS28 and LcMADS27 coordinated control early seed development in Litchi chinensis by directly regulating LcINH1

Seed abortion is an excellent trait for fruit trees, such as Litchi chinensis. Invertase inhibitors (INHs) and cell wall invertases (CWINs) mediate sugar signal play important roles in early seed development. However, the research on transcription factors that regulating INHs/CWINs was limited. Here, we identified MADS-box transcription factor LcMADS28 regulating LcINH1 through yeast one-hybrid library screening. LcMADS28 silencing promoted endosperm formation resulting in normal seed formation. RNA-seq were used to explore its mechanisms. Our findings provide new insight into regulatory mechanisms of seed development mediated by invertase and its inhibitor.