Regulation of secondary metabolite biosynthesis by bZIP transcription factors in plants

Secondary metabolites derived from secondary metabolic pathways in plants play an important role in the adaptation of plants to the ecological environment, and represent a valuable source of natural medicines and industrial chemicals. bZIP transcription factors (TFs) belong to a large gene family and generally exist in eukaryotes. This review summarizes the structure and classification of bZIP TFs, with an emphasis on research progress, methods and the biosynthetic regulation of secondary metabolites, such as terpenoids, flavonoids and alkaloids. Future prospects are also discussed. Further research on the mechanisms of bZIP TFs will increase secondary metabolite production by genetic modification of biosynthetic pathways, with wider application prospects in medicine and industrial and agricultural production.