Expression patterns of MdBBX7. A, Expression of MdBBX7 in response to simulated drought treatment (20% PEG) for 6 h. Root samples were collected from 2-month-old Malus sieversii for RT-qPCR. Asterisks indicated values significantly different between 0 h and 6 h. B, The protein level of MdBBX7 in response to drought stress. Three-month-old apple (Malus × domestica) plants grown in a greenhouse were treated with drought for 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 d. C, Expression of MdBBX7 in different Malus prunifolia tissues, including roots, stems, and leaves. Asterisks indicated values significantly different from stem or leaf compared to root. D, Subcellular localization of MdBBX7. MdBBX7 was fused with a YFP for transient transformation into 4-week-old tobacco (N. benthamiana) leaves. DAPI was used as a nuclei marker. Bars = 25 μm. Data are means ± sd (n = 3). One-way ANOVA (Tukey’s test) was performed and statistically significant differences were indicated by ***P < 0.001.