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Chen S, Han J, Wu S, Guo S, Tang Y, Zheng Y, Hu L, Zhang X, Zhang P, Zhang H, Ren G, Gao S. From non-coding RNAs to histone modification: The epigenetic mechanisms in tomato fruit ripening and quality regulation. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2024; 215:109070. [PMID: 39191041 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.109070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 07/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Ripening is one of the most important stages of fruit development and determines the fruit quality. Various factors play a role in this process, with epigenetic mechanisms emerging as important players. Epigenetic regulation encompasses DNA methylation, histone modifications and variants, chromatin remodeling, RNA modifications, and non-coding RNAs. Over the past decade, studies using tomato as a model have made considerable progress in understanding the impact of epigenetic regulation on fleshy fruit ripening and quality. In this paper, we provide an overview of recent advancements in the epigenetic regulation of tomato fruit ripening and quality regulation, focusing on three main mechanisms: DNA/RNA modifications, non-coding RNAs, and histone modifications. Furthermore, we highlight the unresolved issues and challenges within this research field, offering perspectives for future investigations to drive agricultural innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengbo Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control for Subtropical Fruit and Vege-table, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticultural Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, China
| | - Jiazhen Han
- The Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control for Subtropical Fruit and Vege-table, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticultural Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, China
| | - Shu Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control for Subtropical Fruit and Vege-table, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticultural Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, China
| | - Shangjing Guo
- Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Yufei Tang
- The Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control for Subtropical Fruit and Vege-table, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticultural Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, China
| | - Yujing Zheng
- The Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control for Subtropical Fruit and Vege-table, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticultural Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, China
| | - Lei Hu
- The Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control for Subtropical Fruit and Vege-table, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticultural Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, China
| | - Xingxing Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control for Subtropical Fruit and Vege-table, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticultural Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310021, China
| | | | - Guodong Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
| | - Shuai Gao
- The Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control for Subtropical Fruit and Vege-table, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticultural Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, China.
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Santo Domingo M, Orduña L, Navarro D, Mayobre C, Santiago A, Valverde L, Alexiou KG, Matus JT, Pujol M, Garcia-Mas J. The ethylene-responsive transcription factor ERF024 is a novel regulator of climacteric fruit ripening in melon. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 119:1844-1858. [PMID: 38900073 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Fruit ripening is an essential developmental stage in Angiosperms triggered by hormonal signals such as ethylene, a major player in climacteric ripening. Melon is a unique crop showing both climacteric and non-climacteric cultivars, offering an ideal model for dissecting the genetic mechanisms underpinning this process. The major quantitative trait locus ETHQV8.1 was previously identified as a key regulator of melon fruit ripening. Here, we narrowed down ETHQV8.1 to a precise genomic region containing a single gene, the transcription factor CmERF024. Functional validation using CRISPR/Cas9 knock-out plants unequivocally identified CmERF024 as the causal gene governing ETHQV8.1. The erf024 mutants exhibited suppression of ethylene production, leading to a significant delay and attenuation of fruit ripening. Integrative multi-omic analyses encompassing RNA-seq, DAP-seq, and DNase-seq revealed the association of CmERF024 with chromatin accessibility and gene expression dynamics throughout fruit ripening. Our data suggest CmERF024 as a novel regulator of climacteric fruit ripening in melon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Santo Domingo
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Edifici CRAG, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Luis Orduña
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Universitat de València-CSIC, Paterna, 46908, Valencia, Spain
| | - David Navarro
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Universitat de València-CSIC, Paterna, 46908, Valencia, Spain
| | - Carlos Mayobre
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Edifici CRAG, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Antonio Santiago
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Universitat de València-CSIC, Paterna, 46908, Valencia, Spain
| | - Laura Valverde
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Edifici CRAG, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Konstantinos G Alexiou
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Edifici CRAG, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Edifici CRAG, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - José Tomás Matus
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Universitat de València-CSIC, Paterna, 46908, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta Pujol
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Edifici CRAG, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Edifici CRAG, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Jordi Garcia-Mas
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Edifici CRAG, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Edifici CRAG, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
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3
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Li Z, Zeng J, Zhou Y, Ding X, Jiang G, Wu K, Jiang Y, Duan X. Histone H3K27 demethylase SlJMJ3 modulates fruit ripening in tomato. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 195:2727-2742. [PMID: 38669310 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiae233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The histone lysine (K) demethylase 4 (KDM4/JHDM3) subfamily of jumonji domain-containing demethylases (JMJs) has been implicated in various aspects of plant development. However, their involvement in regulating the ripening of fleshy fruits remains unclear. In this study, we identified SlJMJ3, a member of the KDM4/JHDM3 family, as an H3K27me3 demethylase in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) that plays an important role in fruit ripening regulation. Overexpression of SlJMJ3 leads to accelerated fruit ripening, whereas loss of function of SlJMJ3 delays this process. Furthermore, we determined that SlJMJ3 exerts its regulatory function by modulating the expression of multiple ripening-related genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis and response, carotenoid metabolism, cell wall modification, transcriptional control, and DNA methylation modification. SlJMJ3 binds directly to the promoters of ripening-related genes harboring the CTCTGYTY motif and activates their expression. Additionally, SlJMJ3 reduces the levels of H3K27me3 at its target genes, thereby upregulating their expression. In summary, our findings highlight the role of SlJMJ3 in the regulation of fruit ripening in tomato. By removing the methyl group from trimethylated histone H3 lysine 27 at ripening-related genes, SlJMJ3 acts as an epigenetic regulator that orchestrates the complex molecular processes underlying fruit ripening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
- South China National Botanical Garden, Guangzhou 510650, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jing Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
- South China National Botanical Garden, Guangzhou 510650, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yijie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
- Guangdong AIB Polytechnic, Guangzhou 510507, China
| | - Xiaochun Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
- South China National Botanical Garden, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Guoxiang Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
- South China National Botanical Garden, Guangzhou 510650, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Keqiang Wu
- Institute of Plant Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Yueming Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
- South China National Botanical Garden, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Xuewu Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
- South China National Botanical Garden, Guangzhou 510650, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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4
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Liu M, Zeng J, Li T, Li Y, Jiang Y, Duan X, Jiang G. Transcription factor NOR and CNR synergistically regulate tomato fruit ripening and carotenoid biosynthesis. MOLECULAR HORTICULTURE 2024; 4:27. [PMID: 38978069 PMCID: PMC11232299 DOI: 10.1186/s43897-024-00103-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Mengting Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China, Botanical Garden , Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
- South China National Botanical Garden, Guangzhou, 510650, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jing Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China, Botanical Garden , Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
- South China National Botanical Garden, Guangzhou, 510650, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ting Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China, Botanical Garden , Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
- South China National Botanical Garden, Guangzhou, 510650, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China, Botanical Garden , Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
- South China National Botanical Garden, Guangzhou, 510650, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yueming Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China, Botanical Garden , Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
- South China National Botanical Garden, Guangzhou, 510650, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xuewu Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China, Botanical Garden , Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
- South China National Botanical Garden, Guangzhou, 510650, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Guoxiang Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China, Botanical Garden , Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China.
- South China National Botanical Garden, Guangzhou, 510650, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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5
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Jia H, Xu Y, Deng Y, Xie Y, Gao Z, Lang Z, Niu Q. Key transcription factors regulate fruit ripening and metabolite accumulation in tomato. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 195:2256-2273. [PMID: 38561990 PMCID: PMC11213253 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiae195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Fruit ripening is a complex process involving dynamic changes to metabolites and is controlled by multiple factors, including transcription factors (TFs). Several TFs are reportedly essential regulators of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit ripening. To evaluate the effects of specific TFs on metabolite accumulation during fruit ripening, we combined CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis with metabolome and transcriptome analyses to explore regulatory mechanisms. Specifically, we generated various genetically engineered tomato lines that differed regarding metabolite contents and fruit colors. The metabolite and transcript profiles indicated that the selected TFs have distinct functions that control fruit metabolite contents, especially carotenoids and sugars. Moreover, a mutation to ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL5 (HY5) increased tomato fruit fructose and glucose contents by approximately 20% (relative to the wild-type levels). Our in vitro assay showed that HY5 can bind directly to the G-box cis-element in the Sugars Will Eventually be Exported Transporter (SWEET12c) promoter to activate expression, thereby modulating sugar transport. Our findings provide insights into the mechanisms regulating tomato fruit ripening and metabolic networks, providing the theoretical basis for breeding horticultural crops that produce fruit with diverse flavors and colors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Jia
- College of Agronomy, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Yaping Xu
- National Engineering Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Advanced Academy, Anhui Agricultural University, Research Centre for Biological Breeding Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230036, China
| | - Yuanwei Deng
- National Engineering Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Advanced Academy, Anhui Agricultural University, Research Centre for Biological Breeding Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230036, China
| | - Yinhuan Xie
- National Engineering Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Advanced Academy, Anhui Agricultural University, Research Centre for Biological Breeding Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230036, China
| | - Zhongshan Gao
- Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058 Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhaobo Lang
- Institute of Advanced Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qingfeng Niu
- National Engineering Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Advanced Academy, Anhui Agricultural University, Research Centre for Biological Breeding Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230036, China
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6
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Zhang H, Zhang K, Zhao X, Bi M, Liu Y, Wang S, He Y, Ma K, Qi M. Galactinol synthase 2 influences the metabolism of chlorophyll, carotenoids, and ethylene in tomato fruits. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2024; 75:3337-3350. [PMID: 38486362 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erae121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Galactinol synthase (GolS), which catalyses the synthesis of galactinol, is the first critical enzyme in the biosynthesis of raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) and contributes to plant growth and development, and resistance mechanisms. However, its role in fruit development remains largely unknown. In this study, we used CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) to create the gols2 mutant showing uniformly green fruits without dark-green shoulders, and promoting fruit ripening. Analysis indicated that galactinol was undetectable in the ovaries and fruits of the mutant, and the accumulation of chlorophyll and chloroplast development was suppressed in the fruits. RNA-sequencing analysis showed that genes related to chlorophyll accumulation and chloroplast development were down-regulated, including PROTOCHLOROPHYLLIDE OXIDOREDUCTASE, GOLDEN 2-LIKE 2, and CHLOROPHYLL A/B-BINDING PROTEINS. In addition, early color transformation and ethylene release was prompted in the gols2 lines by regulation of the expression of genes involved in carotenoid and ethylene metabolism (e.g. PHYTOENE SYNTHASE 1, CAROTENE CIS-TRANS ISOMERASE, and 1-AMINOCYCLOPROPANE-1-CARBOXYLIC ACID SYNTHASE2/4) and fruit ripening (e.g. RIPENING INHIBITOR, NON-RIPENING, and APETALA2a). Our results provide evidence for the involvement of GolS2 in pigment and ethylene metabolism of tomato fruits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huidong Zhang
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Northern Horticultural Facilities Design & Application Technology (Liaoning), Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture (Shenyang Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, China
| | - Kunpeng Zhang
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Northern Horticultural Facilities Design & Application Technology (Liaoning), Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture (Shenyang Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, China
| | - Xueya Zhao
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Northern Horticultural Facilities Design & Application Technology (Liaoning), Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture (Shenyang Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, China
| | - Mengxi Bi
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Northern Horticultural Facilities Design & Application Technology (Liaoning), Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture (Shenyang Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, China
| | | | - Shuo Wang
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Northern Horticultural Facilities Design & Application Technology (Liaoning), Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture (Shenyang Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, China
| | - Yi He
- Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture (Shenyang Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, China
| | - Kui Ma
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Northern Horticultural Facilities Design & Application Technology (Liaoning), Shenyang, China
| | - Mingfang Qi
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Northern Horticultural Facilities Design & Application Technology (Liaoning), Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture (Shenyang Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, China
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7
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Qi X, Dong Y, Liu C, Song L, Chen L, Li M. A 5.2-kb insertion in the coding sequence of PavSCPL, a serine carboxypeptidase-like enhances fruit firmness in Prunus avium. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024; 22:1622-1635. [PMID: 38415985 PMCID: PMC11123409 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Fruit firmness is an important trait in sweet cherry breeding because it directly positively influences fruit transportability, storage and shelf life. However, the underlying genes responsible and the molecular mechanisms that control fruit firmness remain unknown. In this study, we identified a candidate gene, PavSCPL, encoding a serine carboxypeptidase-like protein with natural allelic variation, that controls fruit firmness in sweet cherry using map-based cloning and functionally characterized PavSCPL during sweet cherry fruit softening. Genetic analysis revealed that fruit firmness in the 'Rainier' × 'Summit' F1 population was controlled by a single dominant gene. Bulked segregant analysis combined with fine mapping narrowed the candidate gene to a 473-kb region (7418778-7 891 914 bp) on chromosome 6 which included 72 genes. The candidate gene PavSCPL, and a null allele harbouring a 5244-bp insertion in the second exon that completely inactivated PavSCPL expression and resulted in the extra-hard-flesh phenotype, were identified by RNA-sequencing analysis and gene cloning. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that the PavSCPL expression level was increased with fruit softening. Virus-induced gene silencing of PavSCPL enhanced fruit firmness and suppressed the activities of certain pectin-degrading enzymes in the fruit. In addition, we developed functional molecular markers for PavSCPL and the Pavscpl5.2-k allele that co-segregated with the fruit firmness trait. Overall, this research identified a crucial functional gene for fruit firmness. The results provide insights into the genetic control and molecular mechanism of the fruit firmness trait and present useful molecular markers for molecular-assisted breeding for fruit firmness in sweet cherry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiliang Qi
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Zhengzhou Fruit Research InstituteChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Yuanxin Dong
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Zhengzhou Fruit Research InstituteChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Congli Liu
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Zhengzhou Fruit Research InstituteChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesZhengzhouHenanChina
- Zhongyuan Research CenterChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesXinxiangHenanChina
| | - Lulu Song
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Zhengzhou Fruit Research InstituteChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Lei Chen
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Zhengzhou Fruit Research InstituteChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Ming Li
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Zhengzhou Fruit Research InstituteChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesZhengzhouHenanChina
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8
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Xin H, Liu X, Chai S, Yang X, Li H, Wang B, Xu Y, Lin S, Zhong X, Liu B, Lu Z, Zhang Z. Identification and functional characterization of conserved cis-regulatory elements responsible for early fruit development in cucurbit crops. THE PLANT CELL 2024; 36:2272-2288. [PMID: 38421027 PMCID: PMC11132967 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koae064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
A number of cis-regulatory elements (CREs) conserved during evolution have been found to be responsible for phenotypic novelty and variation. Cucurbit crops such as cucumber (Cucumis sativus), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), melon (Cucumis melo), and squash (Cucurbita maxima) develop fruits from an inferior ovary and share some similar biological processes during fruit development. Whether conserved regulatory sequences play critical roles in fruit development of cucurbit crops remains to be explored. In six well-studied cucurbit species, we identified 392,438 conserved noncoding sequences (CNSs), including 82,756 that are specific to cucurbits, by comparative genomics. Genome-wide profiling of accessible chromatin regions (ACRs) and gene expression patterns mapped 20,865 to 43,204 ACRs and their potential target genes for two fruit tissues at two key developmental stages in six cucurbits. Integrated analysis of CNSs and ACRs revealed 4,431 syntenic orthologous CNSs, including 1,687 cucurbit-specific CNSs that overlap with ACRs that are present in all six cucurbit crops and that may regulate the expression of 757 adjacent orthologous genes. CRISPR mutations targeting two CNSs present in the 1,687 cucurbit-specific sequences resulted in substantially altered fruit shape and gene expression patterns of adjacent NAC1 (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) and EXT-like (EXTENSIN-like) genes, validating the regulatory roles of these CNSs in fruit development. These results not only provide a number of target CREs for cucurbit crop improvement, but also provide insight into the roles of CREs in plant biology and during evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjia Xin
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops of Shandong Province, College of Horticulture, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Xin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Sen Chai
- Engineering Laboratory of Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops of Shandong Province, College of Horticulture, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Xueyong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Hongbo Li
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Bowen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Yuanchao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Shengnan Lin
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xiaoyun Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Hami-melon Research Center, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi 830091China
| | - Zefu Lu
- National Key Facility of Crop Gene Resource and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Zhonghua Zhang
- Engineering Laboratory of Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops of Shandong Province, College of Horticulture, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
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9
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Li C, Hou X, Zhao Z, Liu H, Huang P, Shi M, Wu X, Gao R, Liu Z, Wei L, Li Y, Liao W. A tomato NAC transcription factor, SlNAP1, directly regulates gibberellin-dependent fruit ripening. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2024; 29:57. [PMID: 38649857 PMCID: PMC11036752 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-024-00577-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), the ripening of fruit is regulated by the selective expression of ripening-related genes, and this procedure is controlled by transcription factors (TFs). In the various plant-specific TF families, the no apical meristem (NAM), Arabidopsis thaliana activating factor 1/2 (ATAF1/2), and cup-shaped cotyledon 2 (CUC2; NAC) TF family stands out and plays a significant function in plant physiological activities, such as fruit ripening (FR). Despite the numerous genes of NAC found in the tomato genome, limited information is available on the effects of NAC members on FR, and there is also a lack of studies on their target genes. In this research, we focus on SlNAP1, which is a NAC TF that positively influences the FR of tomato. By employing CRISPR/Cas9 technology, compared with the wild type (WT), we generated slnap1 mutants and observed a delay in the ethylene production and color change of fruits. We employed the yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) and dual-luciferase reporter (DLR) assays to confirm that SlNAP1 directly binds to the promoters of two crucial genes involved in gibberellin (GA) degradation, namely SlGA2ox1 and SlGA2ox5, thus activating their expression. Furthermore, through a yeast two-hybrid (Y2H), bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BIFC) and luciferase (LUC) assays, we established an interaction between SlNAP1 and SlGID1. Hence, our findings suggest that SlNAP1 regulates FR positively by activating the GA degradation genes directly. Additionally, the interaction between SlNAP1 and SlGID1 may play a role in SlNAP1-induced FR. Overall, our study provides important insights into the molecular mechanisms through which NAC TFs regulate tomato FR via the GA pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changxia Li
- College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, 1 Yinmen Village, Anning District, Lanzhou, 730070, China
- College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 East University Road, Xixiangtang District, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Xuemei Hou
- College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, 1 Yinmen Village, Anning District, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Zongxi Zhao
- College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, 1 Yinmen Village, Anning District, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Huwei Liu
- College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, 1 Yinmen Village, Anning District, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Panpan Huang
- College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, 1 Yinmen Village, Anning District, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Meimei Shi
- College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, 1 Yinmen Village, Anning District, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Xuetong Wu
- College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, 1 Yinmen Village, Anning District, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Rong Gao
- College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, 1 Yinmen Village, Anning District, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Zhiya Liu
- College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, 1 Yinmen Village, Anning District, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Lijuan Wei
- Spice Crops Research Institute, College of Horticulture and Gardening, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434025, China
| | - Yihua Li
- College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, 1 Yinmen Village, Anning District, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Weibiao Liao
- College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, 1 Yinmen Village, Anning District, Lanzhou, 730070, China.
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10
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Foresti C, Orduña L, Matus JT, Vandelle E, Danzi D, Bellon O, Tornielli GB, Amato A, Zenoni S. NAC61 regulates late- and post-ripening osmotic, oxidative, and biotic stress responses in grapevine. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2024; 75:2330-2350. [PMID: 38159048 PMCID: PMC11016852 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
During late- and post-ripening stages, grape berry undergoes profound biochemical and physiological changes whose molecular control is poorly understood. Here, we report the role of NAC61, a grapevine NAC transcription factor, in regulating different processes involved in berry ripening progression. NAC61 is highly expressed during post-harvest berry dehydration and its expression pattern is closely related to sugar concentration. The ectopic expression of NAC61 in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves resulted in low stomatal conductance, high leaf temperature, tissue collapse and a higher relative water content. Transcriptome analysis of grapevine leaves transiently overexpressing NAC61 and DNA affinity purification and sequencing analyses allowed us to narrow down a list of NAC61-regulated genes. Direct regulation of the stilbene synthase regulator MYB14, the osmotic stress-related gene DHN1b, the Botrytis cinerea susceptibility gene WRKY52, and NAC61 itself was validated. We also demonstrate that NAC61 interacts with NAC60, a proposed master regulator of grapevine organ maturation, in the activation of MYB14 and NAC61 expression. Overall, our findings establish NAC61 as a key player in a regulatory network that governs stilbenoid metabolism and osmotic, oxidative, and biotic stress responses that are the hallmark of late- and post-ripening grape stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Foresti
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Luis Orduña
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Universitat de València-CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | - José Tomás Matus
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Universitat de València-CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | - Elodie Vandelle
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Davide Danzi
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Oscar Bellon
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Amato
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Sara Zenoni
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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11
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Zhao Q, Jing W, Fu X, Yang R, Zhu C, Zhao J, Choisy P, Xu T, Ma N, Zhao L, Gao J, Zhou X, Li Y. TSPO-induced degradation of the ethylene receptor RhETR3 promotes salt tolerance in rose ( Rosa hybrida). HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2024; 11:uhae040. [PMID: 38623073 PMCID: PMC11017515 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhae040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
The gaseous plant hormone ethylene regulates plant development, growth, and responses to stress. In particular, ethylene affects tolerance to salinity; however, the underlying mechanisms of ethylene signaling and salt tolerance are not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that salt stress induces the degradation of the ethylene receptor ETHYLENE RESPONSE 3 (RhETR3) in rose (Rosa hybrid). Furthermore, the TspO/MBR (Tryptophan-rich sensory protein/mitochondrial benzodiazepine receptor) domain-containing membrane protein RhTSPO interacted with RhETR3 to promote its degradation in response to salt stress. Salt tolerance is enhanced in RhETR3-silenced rose plants but decreased in RhTSPO-silenced plants. The improved salt tolerance of RhETR3-silenced rose plants is partly due to the increased expression of ACC SYNTHASE1 (ACS1) and ACS2, which results in an increase in ethylene production, leading to the activation of ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR98 (RhERF98) expression and, ultimately accelerating H2O2 scavenging under salinity conditions. Additionally, overexpression of RhETR3 increased the salt sensitivity of rose plants. Co-overexpression with RhTSPO alleviated this sensitivity. Together, our findings suggest that RhETR3 degradation is a key intersection hub for the ethylene signalling-mediated regulation of salt stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingcui Zhao
- School of Food and Drug, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
- Postdoctoral Innovation Practice Base, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Weikun Jing
- School of Food and Drug, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
- Flower Research Institute of Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming, 650205, Yunnan, China
| | - Xijia Fu
- Department of Ornamental Horticulture, Beijing Key Laboratory of Development and Quality Control of Ornamental Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ruoyun Yang
- Department of Ornamental Horticulture, Beijing Key Laboratory of Development and Quality Control of Ornamental Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Chunyan Zhu
- Department of Ornamental Horticulture, Beijing Key Laboratory of Development and Quality Control of Ornamental Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhao
- Department of Ornamental Horticulture, Beijing Key Laboratory of Development and Quality Control of Ornamental Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | | | - Tao Xu
- LVMH Recherche, F-45800 St Jean de Braye, France
| | - Nan Ma
- Department of Ornamental Horticulture, Beijing Key Laboratory of Development and Quality Control of Ornamental Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Liangjun Zhao
- Department of Ornamental Horticulture, Beijing Key Laboratory of Development and Quality Control of Ornamental Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Junping Gao
- Department of Ornamental Horticulture, Beijing Key Laboratory of Development and Quality Control of Ornamental Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhou
- Department of Ornamental Horticulture, Beijing Key Laboratory of Development and Quality Control of Ornamental Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yonghong Li
- School of Food and Drug, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
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12
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Wang Z, He Z, Gao C, Wang C, Song X, Wang Y. Phosphorylation of birch BpNAC90 improves the activation of gene expression to confer drought tolerance. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2024; 11:uhae061. [PMID: 38659443 PMCID: PMC11040210 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhae061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The NAC transcription factors (TFs) play important roles in mediating abiotic stress tolerance; however, the mechanism is still not fully known. Here, an NAC gene (BpNAC90) from a gene regulatory network of Betula platyphylla (birch) that responded to drought was characterized. Overexpression and knockout of BpNAC90 displayed increased and reduced drought tolerance, respectively, relative to wild-type (WT) birch. BpNAC90 binds to different DNA motifs to regulate target genes in conferring drought tolerance, such as Eomes2, ABRE and Tgif2. BpNAC90 is phosphorylated by drought stress at Ser 205 by birch SNF1-related protein kinase 2 (BpSRK2A). Mutated BpNAC90 (termed S205A) with abolished phosphorylation, was transformed into birch for overexpression. The transgenic S205A plants displayed significantly reduced drought tolerance compared with plants overexpressing BpNAC90, but still showed increased drought tolerance relative to WT birch. At the same time, S205A showed a decreased capability to bind to motifs and reduced activation of target gene expression, which contributed to the reduced drought tolerance. Additionally, BpSRK2A and BpNAC90 can be induced by drought stress and form a complex to phosphorylate BpNAC90. The results together indicated that phosphorylation of BpNAC90 is necessary in conferring drought tolerance in birch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhibo Wang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Zihang He
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Caiqiu Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Chao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Xingshun Song
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Yucheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
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13
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Cao X, Li X, Su Y, Zhang C, Wei C, Chen K, Grierson D, Zhang B. Transcription factor PpNAC1 and DNA demethylase PpDML1 synergistically regulate peach fruit ripening. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 194:2049-2068. [PMID: 37992120 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Fruit ripening is accompanied by dramatic changes in color, texture, and flavor and is regulated by transcription factors (TFs) and epigenetic factors. However, the detailed regulatory mechanism remains unclear. Gene expression patterns suggest that PpNAC1 (NAM/ATAF1/2/CUC) TF plays a major role in peach (Prunus persica) fruit ripening. DNA affinity purification (DAP)-seq combined with transactivation tests demonstrated that PpNAC1 can directly activate the expression of multiple ripening-related genes, including ACC synthase1 (PpACS1) and ACC oxidase1 (PpACO1) involved in ethylene biosynthesis, pectinesterase1 (PpPME1), pectate lyase1 (PpPL1), and polygalacturonase1 (PpPG1) related to cell wall modification, and lipase1 (PpLIP1), fatty acid desaturase (PpFAD3-1), and alcohol acyltransferase1 (PpAAT1) involved in volatiles synthesis. Overexpression of PpNAC1 in the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) nor (nonripening) mutant restored fruit ripening, and its transient overexpression in peach fruit induced target gene expression, supporting a positive role of PpNAC1 in fruit ripening. The enhanced transcript levels of PpNAC1 and its target genes were associated with decreases in their promoter mCG methylation during ripening. Declining DNA methylation was negatively associated with increased transcripts of DNA demethylase1 (PpDML1), whose promoter is recognized and activated by PpNAC1. We propose that decreased methylation of the promoter region of PpNAC1 leads to a subsequent decrease in DNA methylation levels and enhanced transcription of ripening-related genes. These results indicate that positive feedback between PpNAC1 and PpDML1 plays an important role in directly regulating expression of multiple genes required for peach ripening and quality formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangmei Cao
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xinzhao Li
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yike Su
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Chunyan Wei
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Institute of Horticulture, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Desheng Middle Road No. 298, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310021, China
| | - Kunsong Chen
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Donald Grierson
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Plant and Crop Sciences Division, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Bo Zhang
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
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14
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Jiang G, Li Z, Ding X, Zhou Y, Lai H, Jiang Y, Duan X. WUSCHEL-related homeobox transcription factor SlWOX13 regulates tomato fruit ripening. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 194:2322-2337. [PMID: 37995308 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Fruit ripening is a complex, genetically programmed process involving the action of critical transcription factors (TFs). Despite the established importance of WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) TFs in plant development, the involvement of WOX and its underlying mechanism in the regulation of fruit ripening remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that SlWOX13 regulates fruit ripening in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Overexpression of SlWOX13 accelerates fruit ripening, whereas loss-of-function mutation in SlWOX13 delays this process. Moreover, ethylene synthesis and carotenoid accumulation are significantly inhibited in slwox13 mutant fruit but accelerated in SlWOX13 transgenic fruit. Integrated analyses of RNA-seq and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-seq identified 422 direct targets of SlWOX13, of which 243 genes are negatively regulated and 179 are positively regulated by SlWOX13. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay, RT-qPCR, dual-luciferase reporter assay, and ChIP-qPCR analyses demonstrated that SlWOX13 directly activates the expression of several genes involved in ethylene synthesis and signaling and carotenoid biosynthesis. Furthermore, SlWOX13 modulates tomato fruit ripening through key ripening-related TFs, such as RIPENING INHIBITOR (RIN), NON-RIPENING (NOR), and NAM, ATAF1, 2, and CUC2 4 (NAC4). Consequently, these effects promote fruit ripening. Taken together, these results demonstrate that SlWOX13 positively regulates tomato fruit ripening via both ethylene synthesis and signaling and by transcriptional regulation of key ripening-related TFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoxiang Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
- South China National Botanical Garden, Guangzhou 510650, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhiwei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
- South China National Botanical Garden, Guangzhou 510650, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaochun Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
- South China National Botanical Garden, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Yijie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
- South China National Botanical Garden, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Hongmei Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
- South China National Botanical Garden, Guangzhou 510650, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yueming Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
- South China National Botanical Garden, Guangzhou 510650, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xuewu Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
- South China National Botanical Garden, Guangzhou 510650, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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15
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Gapper NE. NACs strike again: NOR-like1 is responsible for cuticle development in tomato fruit. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2024; 75:1791-1795. [PMID: 38534188 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erae049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
This article comments on:
Liu G-S, Huang H, Grierson D, Gao Y, Ji X, Peng Z-Z, Li H-L, Niu X-L, Jia W, He J-L, Xiang L-T, Gao H-Y, Qu G-Q, Zhu H-L, Zhu B-Z, Luo Y-B, Fu D-Q. 2024. NAC transcription factor SlNOR-like1 plays a dual regulatory role in tomato fruit cuticle formation. Journal of Experimental Botany 75, 1903–1918.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel E Gapper
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Mount Albert Research Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
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16
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Gambhir P, Raghuvanshi U, Kumar R, Sharma AK. Transcriptional regulation of tomato fruit ripening. PHYSIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PLANTS : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 30:289-303. [PMID: 38623160 PMCID: PMC11016043 DOI: 10.1007/s12298-024-01424-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
An intrinsic and genetically determined ripening program of tomato fruits often depends upon the appropriate activation of tissue- and stage-specific transcription factors in space and time. The past two decades have yielded considerable progress in detailing these complex transcriptional as well as hormonal regulatory circuits paramount to fleshy fruit ripening. This non-linear ripening process is strongly controlled by the MADS-box and NOR family of proteins, triggering a transcriptional response associated with the progression of fruit ripening. Deepening insights into the connection between MADS-RIN and plant hormones related transcription factors, such as ERFs and ARFs, further conjugates the idea that several signaling units work in parallel to define an output fruit ripening transcriptome. Besides these TFs, the role of other families of transcription factors such as MYB, GLK, WRKY, GRAS and bHLH have also emerged as important ripening regulators. Other regulators such as EIN and EIL proteins also determine the transcriptional landscape of ripening fruits. Despite the abundant knowledge of the complex spectrum of ripening networks in the scientific domain, identifying more ripening effectors would pave the way for a better understanding of fleshy fruit ripening at the molecular level. This review provides an update on the transcriptional regulators of tomato fruit ripening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Gambhir
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, 110021 India
| | - Utkarsh Raghuvanshi
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, 110021 India
| | - Rahul Kumar
- Department of Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500046 India
| | - Arun Kumar Sharma
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, 110021 India
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17
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Jeon C, Chung MY, Lee JM. Reassessing the contribution of TOMATO AGAMOUS-LIKE1 to fruit ripening by CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2024; 43:41. [PMID: 38246942 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-023-03105-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE CRISPR/Cas9-edited TOMATO AGAMOUS-LIKE1 (TAGL1) provided new insights into fruit ripening. TOMATO AGAMOUS LIKE 1 (TAGL1) has been identified as playing a key role in the process of tomato fruit development and ripening. We have re-evaluated the functions of TAGL1 using CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis. Three KO mutants contained frameshift mutations resulting in premature termination codons due to a 1 bp insertion. TAGL1-KO mutants exhibited dark immature fruits and orange ripening fruits. The fruit shape was characterized by a prominent pointed tip at the end and the pericarp thickness was significantly thinner. TAGL1-KO mutants showed reduced ethylene biosynthesis, increased firmness, and delayed onset of ripening. The chlorophyll content of TAGL1-KO mutants was higher in the mature green stage and the lycopene content of TAGL1-KO mutants in the ripening stage was lower compared to the WT. ACS2, ACS4, ACO1, ACO3, PG2a, PL, PME, EXP1, and PSY1 in the mutants were significantly down-regulated during ripening. Ripening fruits in the double mutant of rin and tagl1 showed a more extreme phenotype than the rin mutant suggesting that the double mutation acts synergistically during ripening. TAGL1-targeted mutagenesis by CRISPR/Cas9 strengthens its regulatory functions controlling ripening parameters and provides new insights into fruit ripening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanjeong Jeon
- Department of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Young Chung
- Department of Agricultural Education, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, 57922, Korea
| | - Je Min Lee
- Department of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea.
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18
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Baranov D, Timerbaev V. Recent Advances in Studying the Regulation of Fruit Ripening in Tomato Using Genetic Engineering Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:760. [PMID: 38255834 PMCID: PMC10815249 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most commercially essential vegetable crops cultivated worldwide. In addition to the nutritional value, tomato is an excellent model for studying climacteric fruits' ripening processes. Despite this, the available natural pool of genes that allows expanding phenotypic diversity is limited, and the difficulties of crossing using classical selection methods when stacking traits increase proportionally with each additional feature. Modern methods of the genetic engineering of tomatoes have extensive potential applications, such as enhancing the expression of existing gene(s), integrating artificial and heterologous gene(s), pointing changes in target gene sequences while keeping allelic combinations characteristic of successful commercial varieties, and many others. However, it is necessary to understand the fundamental principles of the gene molecular regulation involved in tomato fruit ripening for its successful use in creating new varieties. Although the candidate genes mediate ripening have been identified, a complete picture of their relationship has yet to be formed. This review summarizes the latest (2017-2023) achievements related to studying the ripening processes of tomato fruits. This work attempts to systematize the results of various research articles and display the interaction pattern of genes regulating the process of tomato fruit ripening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Baranov
- Laboratory of Expression Systems and Plant Genome Modification, Branch of Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, 142290 Pushchino, Russia;
- Laboratory of Plant Genetic Engineering, All-Russia Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, 127550 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vadim Timerbaev
- Laboratory of Expression Systems and Plant Genome Modification, Branch of Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, 142290 Pushchino, Russia;
- Laboratory of Plant Genetic Engineering, All-Russia Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, 127550 Moscow, Russia
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Zhang RX, Liu Y, Zhang X, Chen X, Sun J, Zhao Y, Zhang J, Yao JL, Liao L, Zhou H, Han Y. Two adjacent NAC transcription factors regulate fruit maturity date and flavor in peach. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 241:632-649. [PMID: 37933224 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Although maturity date (MD) is an essential factor affecting fresh fruit marketing and has a pleiotropic effect on fruit taste qualities, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. In this study, we functionally characterized two adjacent NAM-ATAF1/2-CUC2 (NAC) transcription factors (TFs), PpNAC1 and PpNAC5, both of which were associated with fruit MD in peach. PpNAC1 and PpNAC5 were found capable of activating transcription of genes associated with cell elongation, cell wall degradation and ethylene biosynthesis, suggesting their regulatory roles in fruit enlargement and ripening. Furthermore, PpNAC1 and PpNAC5 had pleiotropic effects on fruit taste due to their ability to activate transcription of genes for sugar accumulation and organic acid degradation. Interestingly, both PpNAC1 and PpNAC5 orthologues were found in fruit-producing angiosperms and adjacently arranged in all 91 tested dicots but absent in fruitless gymnosperms, suggesting their important roles in fruit development. Our results provide insight into the regulatory roles of NAC TFs in MD and fruit taste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruo-Xi Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yudi Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquanlu, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xian Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquanlu, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaomei Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquanlu, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Juanli Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquanlu, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yun Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jinyun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Germplasm Innovation and Utilization (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Genetic Improvement and Eco-Physiology of Anhui Province, Institute of Horticulture, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei, 230031, China
| | - Jia-Long Yao
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 92169, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Liao Liao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Hui Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Germplasm Innovation and Utilization (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Genetic Improvement and Eco-Physiology of Anhui Province, Institute of Horticulture, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei, 230031, China
| | - Yuepeng Han
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, 430070, China
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Wei W, Yang YY, Wu CJ, Kuang JF, Lu WJ, Chen JY, Shan W. MaNAC19-MaXB3 regulatory module mediates sucrose synthesis in banana fruit during ripening. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:127144. [PMID: 37802454 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Sucrose, a predominant sweetener in banana (Musa acuminata) fruit, determines sweetness and consumer preferences. Although sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) is known to catalyze starch conversion into sucrose in banana fruit during the ripening process, the SPS regulatory mechanism during ripening still demands investigation. Hence, this study discovered that the MaSPS1 expression was promoted during ethylene-mediated ripening in banana fruit. MaNAC19, recognized as the MaSPS1 putative binding protein using yeast one-hybrid screening, directly binds to the MaSPS1 promoter, thereby transcriptionally activating its expression, which was verified by transient overexpression experiments, where the sucrose synthesis was accelerated through MaNAC19-induced transcription of MaSPS1. Interestingly, MaXB3, an ethylene-inhibited E3 ligase, was found to ubiquitinate MaNAC19, making it prone to proteasomal degradation, inhibiting transactivation of MaNAC19 to MaSPS1, thereby attenuating MaNAC19-promoted sucrose accumulation. This study's findings collectively illustrated the mechanistic basis of a MaXB3-MaNAC19-MaSPS1 regulatory module controlling sucrose synthesis during banana fruit ripening. These outcomes have broadened our understanding of the regulation mechanisms that contributed to sucrose metabolism occurring in transcriptional and post-transcriptional stages, which might help develop molecular approaches for controlling ripening and improving fruit quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Ying-Ying Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Chao-Jie Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jian-Fei Kuang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Wang-Jin Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jian-Ye Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Wei Shan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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Guan D, Zhao Y, Zhao X, Fu D. Metabolomics Study of the Effect of Transcription Factor NOR-like1 on Flavonoids in Tomato at Different Stages of Maturity Using UPLC-MS/MS. Foods 2023; 12:4445. [PMID: 38137249 PMCID: PMC10742431 DOI: 10.3390/foods12244445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Tomato fruits are rich in flavonoids. This study explores the effect of transcription factor SlNOR-like1 on the accumulation of flavonoids in tomato fruits at different ripening stages. We used ultra-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) to analyze wild-type (WT) and NOR-like1 CRISPR/Cas9-edited (NOR-like1) tomato fruits. A total of 50 flavonoid metabolites were accurately identified and determined in tomatoes. The flavonoid metabolic differences were observed among the different tomato sample groups using PCA and OPLS-DA analysis. There were 16 differential flavonoids (13 upregulated and 3 downregulated) identified between WT-GR (WT tomato at the green-ripening stage) and NOR-like1-GR (NOR-like1 tomato at the green-ripening stage), 9 differential flavonoids (six upregulated and three downregulated) identified between WT-BR3 (WT tomato at the color-breaking stage) and NOR-like1-BR3 (NOR-like1 tomato at the color-breaking stage), and 12 differential flavonoids (11 upregulated and 1 downregulated) identified between WT-BR9 (WT tomato at the red-ripening stage) and NOR-like1-BR9 (NOR-like1 tomato at the red-ripening stage). Rutin, nicotiflorin, naringenin chalcone, eriodictyol, and naringenin-7-glucoside were the five flavonoids with the highest content in the ripening stages (BR3 and BR9) in both WT and NOR-like1 tomato fruits. The overall flavonoid contents in WT tomato fruits changed little from GR to BR3 and decreased from BR3 to BR9; meanwhile, in the NOR-like1 tomato fruits, the total amounts of the flavonoids exhibited an increasing trend during all three ripening stages. The accumulation pattern of flavonoid metabolites in NOR-like1 tomato fruits differed from that in WT tomato fruits, especially in the later ripening process of BR9. The transcription factor SlNOR-like1 has an impact on the accumulation of flavonoids in tomato fruits. The results provide a preliminary basis for subsequent research into its regulatory mechanism and will be helpful for attaining future improvements in the nutritional quality and postharvest treatment of tomato fruits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Guan
- School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Ying Zhao
- School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Xiaodan Zhao
- School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Daqi Fu
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
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Han K, Zhao Y, Sun Y, Li Y. NACs, generalist in plant life. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:2433-2457. [PMID: 37623750 PMCID: PMC10651149 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Plant-specific NAC proteins constitute a major transcription factor family that is well-known for its roles in plant growth, development, and responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. In recent years, there has been significant progress in understanding the functions of NAC proteins. NAC proteins have a highly conserved DNA-binding domain; however, their functions are diverse. Previous understanding of the structure of NAC transcription factors can be used as the basis for their functional diversity. NAC transcription factors consist of a target-binding domain at the N-terminus and a highly versatile C-terminal domain that interacts with other proteins. A growing body of research on NAC transcription factors helps us comprehend the intricate signalling network and transcriptional reprogramming facilitated by NAC-mediated complexes. However, most studies of NAC proteins have been limited to a single function. Here, we discuss the upstream regulators, regulatory components and targets of NAC in the context of their prospective roles in plant improvement strategies via biotechnology intervention, highlighting the importance of the NAC transcription factor family in plants and the need for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunjin Han
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Engineering Technology Research Center of Black Locust of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and TechnologyBeijing Forestry UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Ye Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Engineering Technology Research Center of Black Locust of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and TechnologyBeijing Forestry UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yuhan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Engineering Technology Research Center of Black Locust of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and TechnologyBeijing Forestry UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Engineering Technology Research Center of Black Locust of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and TechnologyBeijing Forestry UniversityBeijingChina
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Bellinazzo F. Solving the puzzle of climacteric fruit ripening: EMB1444-like and its regulatory function. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:6396-6398. [PMID: 37988177 PMCID: PMC10662220 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
This article comments on:Zhao W, Wang S, Li W, Shan X, Naeem M, Zhang L, Zhao L. 2023. The transcription factor EMB1444-like affects tomato fruit ripening by regulating YELLOW-FRUITED TOMATO 1, a core component of ethylene signaling transduction. Journal of Experimental Botany 74, 6563–6574.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Bellinazzo
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Wageningen University and Research, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Bioscience, Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University and Research, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Wei W, Yang YY, Chen JY, Lakshmanan P, Kuang JF, Lu WJ, Shan W. MaNAC029 modulates ethylene biosynthesis and fruit quality and undergoes MaXB3-mediated proteasomal degradation during banana ripening. J Adv Res 2023; 53:33-47. [PMID: 36529351 PMCID: PMC10658243 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2022.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTIONS Ethylene regulates ripening by activating various metabolic pathways that controlcolor, aroma, flavor, texture, and consequently, the quality of fruits. However, the modulation of ethylene biosynthesis and quality formation during banana fruit ripening remains unclear. OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to identify the regulatory module that regulates ethylene and fruit quality-related metabolisms during banana fruit ripening. METHODS We used RNA-seq to compare unripe and ripe banana fruits and identified a ripening-induced NAC transcription factor, MaNAC029. We further performed DNA affinity purification sequencing to identify the MaNAC029's target genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis and fruit quality formation, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation with real-time polymerase chain reaction and dual luciferase assays to explore the underlying regulatory mechanisms. Immunoprecipitation combined with mass spectrometry, yeast two-hybrid assay, and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay were used to screen and verify the proteins interacting with MaNAC029. Finally, the function of MaNAC029 and its interacting protein associated with ethylene biosynthesis and quality formation was verified through transient overexpression experiments in banana fruits. RESULTS The study identified a nucleus-localized, ripening-induced NAC transcription factor MaNAC029. It transcriptionally activated genes associated with ethylene biosynthesis and a variety of cellular metabolisms related to fruit quality formation (cell wall degradation, starch degradation, aroma compound synthesis, and chlorophyll catabolism) by directly modulating their promoter activity during ripening. Overexpression of MaNAC029 in banana fruits activated ethylene biosynthesis and accelerated fruit ripening and quality formation. Notably, the E3 ligase MaXB3 interacted with and ubiquitinated MaNAC029 protein, facilitating MaNAC029 proteasomal degradation. Consistent with this finding, MaXB3 overexpression attenuated MaNAC029-enhanced ethylene biosynthesis and quality formation. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate that a MaXB3-MaNAC029 module regulates ethylene biosynthesis and a series of cellular metabolisms related to fruit quality formation during banana ripening. These results expand the understanding of the transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms of fruit ripening and quality formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wei
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Ying-Ying Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jian-Ye Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Prakash Lakshmanan
- Sugarcane Research Institute, Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi), Ministry of Agriculture/Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Genetic Improvement, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530007, China; Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland, St Lucia 4067, QLD, Australia
| | - Jian-Fei Kuang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Wang-Jin Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Wei Shan
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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Sun Z, Wu M, Wang S, Feng S, Wang Y, Wang T, Zhu C, Jiang X, Wang H, Wang R, Yuan X, Wang M, Zhong L, Cheng Y, Bao M, Zhang F. An insertion of transposon in DcNAP inverted its function in the ethylene pathway to delay petal senescence in carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.). PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:2307-2321. [PMID: 37626478 PMCID: PMC10579710 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Petal senescence is the final stage of flower development. Transcriptional regulation plays key roles in this process. However, whether and how post-transcriptional regulation involved is still largely unknown. Here, we identified an ethylene-induced NAC family transcription factor DcNAP in carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.). One allele, DcNAP-dTdic1, has an insertion of a dTdic1 transposon in its second exon. The dTdic1 transposon disrupts the structure of DcNAP and causes alternative splicing, which transcribes multiple domain-deleted variants (DcNAP2 and others). Conversely, the wild type allele DcNAP transcribes DcNAP1 encoding an intact NAC domain. Silencing DcNAP1 delays and overexpressing DcNAP1 accelerates petal senescence in carnation, while silencing and overexpressing DcNAP2 have the opposite effects, respectively. Further, DcNAP2 could interact with DcNAP1 and interfere the binding and activation activity of DcNAP1 to the promoters of its downstream target ethylene biosynthesis genes DcACS1 and DcACO1. Lastly, ethylene signalling core transcriptional factor DcEIL3-1 can activate the expression of DcNAP1 and DcNAP2 in the same way by binding their promoters. In summary, we discovered a novel mechanism by which DcNAP regulates carnation petal senescence at the post-transcriptional level. It may also provide a useful strategy to manipulate the NAC domains of NAC transcription factors for crop genetic improvement.
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Zenoni S, Savoi S, Busatto N, Tornielli GB, Costa F. Molecular regulation of apple and grape ripening: exploring common and distinct transcriptional aspects of representative climacteric and non-climacteric fruits. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:6207-6223. [PMID: 37591311 PMCID: PMC10627160 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Fleshy fruits of angiosperms are organs specialized for promoting seed dispersal by attracting herbivores and enticing them to consume the organ and the seeds it contains. Ripening can be broadly defined as the processes serving as a plant strategy to make the fleshy fruit appealing to animals, consisting of a coordinated series of changes in color, texture, aroma, and flavor that result from an intricate interplay of genetically and epigenetically programmed events. The ripening of fruits can be categorized into two types: climacteric, which is characterized by a rapid increase in respiration rate typically accompanied by a burst of ethylene production, and non-climacteric, in which this pronounced peak in respiration is absent. Here we review current knowledge of transcriptomic changes taking place in apple (Malus × domestica, climacteric) and grapevine (Vitis vinifera, non-climacteric) fruit during ripening, with the aim of highlighting specific and common hormonal and molecular events governing the process in the two species. With this perspective, we found that specific NAC transcription factor members participate in ripening initiation in grape and are involved in restoring normal physiological ripening progression in impaired fruit ripening in apple. These elements suggest the existence of a common regulatory mechanism operated by NAC transcription factors and auxin in the two species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Zenoni
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefania Savoi
- Department of Agricultural, Forest, and Food Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (Torino), Italy
| | - Nicola Busatto
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via Mach 1, 39098 San Michele all’Adige (Trento), Italy
| | | | - Fabrizio Costa
- Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), University of Trento, Via Mach 1, 39098 San Michele all’Adige (Trento), Italy
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Wei W, Yang YY, Wu CJ, Kuang JF, Chen JY, Lu WJ, Shan W. MaMADS1-MaNAC083 transcriptional regulatory cascade regulates ethylene biosynthesis during banana fruit ripening. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2023; 10:uhad177. [PMID: 37868621 PMCID: PMC10585711 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhad177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
The hormone ethylene is crucial in the regulation of ripening in climacteric fruit, such as bananas. The transcriptional regulation of ethylene biosynthesis throughout banana fruit ripening has received much study, but the cascaded transcriptional machinery of upstream transcriptional regulators implicated in the ethylene biosynthesis pathway is still poorly understood. Here we report that ethylene biosynthesis genes, including MaACS1, MaACO1, MaACO4, MaACO5, and MaACO8, were upregulated in ripening bananas. NAC (NAM, ATAF, CUC) transcription factor, MaNAC083, a ripening and ethylene-inhibited gene, was discovered as a potential binding protein to the MaACS1 promoter by yeast one-hybrid screening. Further in vitro and in vivo experiments indicated that MaNAC083 bound directly to promoters of the five ethylene biosynthesis genes, thereby transcriptionally repressing their expression, which was further verified by transient overexpression experiments, where ethylene production was inhibited through MaNAC083-modulated transcriptional repression of ethylene biosynthesis genes in banana fruits. Strikingly, MaMADS1, a ripening-induced MADS (MCM1, AGAMOUS, DEFICIENS, SRF4) transcription factor, was found to directly repress the expression of MaNAC083, inhibiting trans-repression of MaNAC083 to ethylene biosynthesis genes, thereby attenuating MaNAC083-repressed ethylene production in bananas. These findings collectively illustrated the mechanistic basis of a MaMADS1-MaNAC083-MaACS1/MaACOs regulatory cascade controlling ethylene biosynthesis during banana fruit ripening. These findings increase our knowledge of the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of ethylene biosynthesis at the transcriptional level and are expected to help develop molecular approaches to control ripening and improve fruit storability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Ying-ying Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Chao-jie Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jian-fei Kuang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jian-ye Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Wang-jin Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Wei Shan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
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Zhang J, Wen M, Dai R, Liu X, Wang C. Comparative Physiological and Transcriptome Analyses Reveal Mechanisms of Salicylic-Acid-Reduced Postharvest Ripening in 'Hosui' Pears ( Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai). PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3429. [PMID: 37836170 PMCID: PMC10575155 DOI: 10.3390/plants12193429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Postharvest ripening of sand pear fruit leads to quality deterioration, including changes in texture, flavor, and fruit color. Salicylic acid (SA), an important defense-related hormone, delays fruit ripening and maintains fruit quality, but the underling mechanism remains unclear. Herein, we evaluated the efficacy of SA in delaying the ripening process of Pyrus pyrifolia cv. 'Hosui' pear fruit, as evidenced by the reduction in fruit weight loss, inhibition of firmness loss, cell wall degradation and soluble sugars, and retention of total phenols. Based on comparative transcriptomic data, a total of 3837 and 1387 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified during room-temperature storage of control fruit and between SA-treated and control fruit, respectively. Further KEGG analysis revealed that the DEGs were mainly implicated in plant hormone signal transduction, starch and sugar metabolism, and cell wall modification. Moreover, exogenous SA treatment also altered the expression of many transcription factor (TF) families, including those in the ethylene-responsive factor (ERF), NAM, ATAF, CUC (NAC), basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH), basic leucine zipper (bZIP), and v-myb avian myeloblastosis viral oncogene homolog (MYB) families. Together, the results offer important insights into the role of SA-responsive genes in controlling fruit ripening in sand pears.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Chunlei Wang
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, 48 Wenhui East Road, Yangzhou 225009, China; (J.Z.); (M.W.); (R.D.); (X.L.)
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Mellidou I, Koukounaras A, Frusciante S, Rambla JL, Patelou E, Ntoanidou S, Pons C, Kostas S, Nikoloudis K, Granell A, Diretto G, Kanellis AK. A metabolome and transcriptome survey to tap the dynamics of fruit prolonged shelf-life and improved quality within Greek tomato germplasm. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1267340. [PMID: 37818313 PMCID: PMC10560995 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1267340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Tomato is a high economic value crop worldwide with recognized nutritional properties and diverse postharvest potential. Nowadays, there is an emerging awareness about the exploitation and utilization of underutilized traditional germplasm in modern breeding programs. In this context, the existing diversity among Greek accessions in terms of their postharvest life and nutritional value remains largely unexplored. Methods Herein, a detailed evaluation of 130 tomato Greek accessions for postharvest and nutritional characteristics was performed, using metabolomics and transcriptomics, leading to the selection of accessions with these interesting traits. Results The results showed remarkable differences among tomato Greek accessions for overall ripening parameters (color, firmness) and weight loss. On the basis of their postharvest performance, a balance between short shelf life (SSL) and long shelf life (LSL) accessions was revealed. Metabolome analysis performed on 14 selected accessions with contrasting shelf-life potential identified a total of 206 phytonutrients and volatile compounds. In turn, transcriptome analysis in fruits from the best SSL and the best LSL accessions revealed remarkable differences in the expression profiles of transcripts involved in key metabolic pathways related to fruit quality and postharvest potential. Discussion The pathways towards cell wall synthesis, polyamine synthesis, ABA catabolism, and steroidal alkaloids synthesis were mostly induced in the LSL accession, whereas those related to ethylene biosynthesis, cell wall degradation, isoprenoids, phenylpropanoids, ascorbic acid and aroma (TomloxC) were stimulated in the SSL accession. Overall, these data would provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanism towards enhancing shelf-life and improving flavor and aroma of modern tomato cultivars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ifigeneia Mellidou
- Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources, Hellenic Agricultural Organization – DEMETER, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Group of Biotechnology of Pharmaceutical Plants, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Athanasios Koukounaras
- Group of Biotechnology of Pharmaceutical Plants, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Horticulture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Sarah Frusciante
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy, and Sustainable Development (ENEA), Biotechnology Laboratory, Casaccia Research Center, Rome, Italy
| | - José L. Rambla
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universitat Politècnica de València, València, Spain
- Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Natural Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Efstathia Patelou
- Group of Biotechnology of Pharmaceutical Plants, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Symela Ntoanidou
- Group of Biotechnology of Pharmaceutical Plants, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Clara Pons
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universitat Politècnica de València, València, Spain
- Instituto de Conservación y Mejora de la Agrodiversidad Valenciana (COMAV), Universitat Politècnica de València, València, Spain
| | - Stefanos Kostas
- Group of Biotechnology of Pharmaceutical Plants, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Horticulture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Antonio Granell
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universitat Politècnica de València, València, Spain
| | - Gianfranco Diretto
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy, and Sustainable Development (ENEA), Biotechnology Laboratory, Casaccia Research Center, Rome, Italy
| | - Angelos K. Kanellis
- Group of Biotechnology of Pharmaceutical Plants, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Heo JM, Eun CH, Kim IJ. Identification of Late Ripening Citrus Mutant, Ara-unshiu ( Citrus unshiu), and Its Selectable Marker. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3355. [PMID: 37836096 PMCID: PMC10574479 DOI: 10.3390/plants12193355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
'Miyagawa-wase' mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc. cv. Miyagawa-wase early) is one of the most widely cultivated citrus varieties on Jeju Island in Korea. Mutation breeding is a useful tool for the induction of genetic diversity for the rapid creation of new plant variants. We previously reported the use of gamma irradiation for the development of new citrus varieties. Here, we report a new mutant, Ara-unshiu, with a unique late fruit ripening phenotype. We investigated the fruit morphological characteristics including weight, vertical/transverse diameter, peel thickness, hardness, and color difference, as well as sugar and acid contents of the Ara-unshiu compared to wild-type controls. We then used whole genome re-sequencing and functional annotation by gene ontology to identify and characterize single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and insertion/deletion (InDel) variants in the Ara-unshiu, finding a greater abundance of annotated genes containing InDels compared to SNPs. Finally, we used allele-specific PCR to identify molecular markers among the homozygous SNPs detected from the Ara-unshiu genome sequencing. We report a primer set that effectively distinguishes the Ara-unshiu from the wild-type control and other citrus varieties. Our findings provide insights into the mechanisms controlling the timing of fruit ripening and tools for the molecular breeding of citrus varieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Man Heo
- Department of Biomaterials Engineering, Graduate School, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea;
| | - Chang-Ho Eun
- Subtropical Horticulture Research Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea;
| | - In-Jung Kim
- Bio-Resources Computing Research Center, Research Institute for Subtropical Agriculture and Biotechnology, SARI, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea
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31
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Wu W, Sun NJ, Xu Y, Chen YT, Liu XF, Shi LY, Chen W, Zhu QG, Gong BC, Yin XR, Yang ZF. Exogenous gibberellin delays maturation in persimmon fruit through transcriptional activators and repressors. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 193:840-854. [PMID: 37325946 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
As the harvest season of most fruit is concentrated, fruit maturation manipulation is essential for the fresh fruit industry to prolong sales time. Gibberellin (GA), an important phytohormone necessary for plant growth and development, has also shown a substantial regulatory effect on fruit maturation; however, its regulatory mechanisms remain inconclusive. In this research, preharvest GA3 treatment effectively delayed fruit maturation in several persimmon (Diospyros kaki) cultivars. Among the proteins encoded by differentially expressed genes, 2 transcriptional activators (NAC TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR DkNAC24 and ETHYLENE RESPONSIVE FACTOR DkERF38) and a repressor (MYB-LIKE TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR DkMYB22) were direct regulators of GERANYLGERANYL DIPHOSPHATE SYNTHASE DkGGPS1, LYSINE HISTIDINE TRANSPORTER DkLHT1, and FRUCTOSE-BISPHOSPHATE ALDOLASE DkFBA1, respectively, resulting in the inhibition of carotenoid synthesis, outward transport of an ethylene precursor, and consumption of fructose and glucose. Thus, the present study not only provides a practical method to prolong the persimmon fruit maturation period in various cultivars but also provides insights into the regulatory mechanisms of GA on multiple aspects of fruit quality formation at the transcriptional regulation level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wu
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315100, China
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong 266100, China
| | - Ning-Jing Sun
- College of Resources and Environment Sciences, Baoshan University, Baoshan, Yunnan 678000, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311400, China
| | - Yu-Tong Chen
- Department of Horticulture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Xiao-Fen Liu
- Department of Horticulture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Li-Yu Shi
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315100, China
| | - Wei Chen
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315100, China
| | - Qing-Gang Zhu
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Bang-Chu Gong
- Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311400, China
| | - Xue-Ren Yin
- Department of Horticulture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Zhen-Feng Yang
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315100, China
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Di Giacomo M, Vega TA, Cambiaso V, Picardi LA, Rodríguez GR, Pereira da Costa JH. An Integrative Transcriptomics and Proteomics Approach to Identify Putative Genes Underlying Fruit Ripening in Tomato near Isogenic Lines with Long Shelf Life. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2812. [PMID: 37570966 PMCID: PMC10421356 DOI: 10.3390/plants12152812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
The elucidation of the ripening pathways of climacteric fruits helps to reduce postharvest losses and improve fruit quality. Here, we report an integrative study on tomato ripening for two near-isogenic lines (NIL115 and NIL080) with Solanum pimpinellifolium LA0722 introgressions. A comprehensive analysis using phenotyping, molecular, transcript, and protein data were performed. Both NILs show improved fruit firmness and NIL115 also has longer shelf life compared to the cultivated parent. NIL115 differentially expressed a transcript from the APETALA2 ethylene response transcription factor family (AP2/ERF) with a potential role in fruit ripening. E4, another ERF, showed an upregulated expression in NIL115 as well as in the wild parent, and it was located physically close to a wild introgression. Other proteins whose expression levels changed significantly during ripening were identified, including an ethylene biosynthetic enzyme (ACO3) and a pectate lyase (PL) in NIL115, and an alpha-1,4 glucan phosphorylase (Pho1a) in NIL080. In this study, we provide insights into the effects of several genes underlying tomato ripening with potential impact on fruit shelf life. Data integration contributed to unraveling ripening-related genes, providing opportunities for assisted breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melisa Di Giacomo
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Agrarias de Rosario (IICAR-CONICET-UNR), Campo Experimental Villarino, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Zavalla S2125ZAA, Santa Fe, Argentina; (M.D.G.); (T.A.V.); (V.C.); (G.R.R.)
| | - Tatiana Alejandra Vega
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Agrarias de Rosario (IICAR-CONICET-UNR), Campo Experimental Villarino, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Zavalla S2125ZAA, Santa Fe, Argentina; (M.D.G.); (T.A.V.); (V.C.); (G.R.R.)
| | - Vladimir Cambiaso
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Agrarias de Rosario (IICAR-CONICET-UNR), Campo Experimental Villarino, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Zavalla S2125ZAA, Santa Fe, Argentina; (M.D.G.); (T.A.V.); (V.C.); (G.R.R.)
- Cátedra de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Zavalla S2125ZAA, Santa Fe, Argentina;
| | - Liliana Amelia Picardi
- Cátedra de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Zavalla S2125ZAA, Santa Fe, Argentina;
| | - Gustavo Rubén Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Agrarias de Rosario (IICAR-CONICET-UNR), Campo Experimental Villarino, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Zavalla S2125ZAA, Santa Fe, Argentina; (M.D.G.); (T.A.V.); (V.C.); (G.R.R.)
- Cátedra de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Zavalla S2125ZAA, Santa Fe, Argentina;
| | - Javier Hernán Pereira da Costa
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Agrarias de Rosario (IICAR-CONICET-UNR), Campo Experimental Villarino, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Zavalla S2125ZAA, Santa Fe, Argentina; (M.D.G.); (T.A.V.); (V.C.); (G.R.R.)
- Cátedra de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Zavalla S2125ZAA, Santa Fe, Argentina;
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Liu X, Bulley SM, Varkonyi-Gasic E, Zhong C, Li D. Kiwifruit bZIP transcription factor AcePosF21 elicits ascorbic acid biosynthesis during cold stress. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 192:982-999. [PMID: 36823691 PMCID: PMC10231468 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Cold stress seriously affects plant development, resulting in heavy agricultural losses. L-ascorbic acid (AsA, vitamin C) is an antioxidant implicated in abiotic stress tolerance and metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Understanding whether and how cold stress elicits AsA biosynthesis to reduce oxidative damage is important for developing cold-resistant plants. Here, we show that the accumulation of AsA in response to cold stress is a common mechanism conserved across the plant kingdom, from single-cell algae to angiosperms. We identified a basic leucine zipper domain (bZIP) transcription factor (TF) of kiwifruit (Actinidia eriantha Benth.), AcePosF21, which was triggered by cold and is involved in the regulation of kiwifruit AsA biosynthesis and defense responses against cold stress. AcePosF21 interacted with the R2R3-MYB TF AceMYB102 and directly bound to the promoter of the gene encoding GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase 3 (AceGGP3), a key conduit for regulating AsA biosynthesis, to up-regulate AceGGP3 expression and produce more AsA, which neutralized the excess ROS induced by cold stress. On the contrary, VIGS or CRISPR-Cas9-mediated editing of AcePosF21 decreased AsA content and increased the generation of ROS in kiwifruit under cold stress. Taken together, we illustrated a model for the regulatory mechanism of AcePosF21-mediated regulation of AceGGP3 expression and AsA biosynthesis to reduce oxidative damage by cold stress, which provides valuable clues for manipulating the cold resistance of kiwifruit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Liu
- Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiufeng 1 Road, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Sean M Bulley
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 11600, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Erika Varkonyi-Gasic
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 92169, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Caihong Zhong
- Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiufeng 1 Road, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Dawei Li
- Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiufeng 1 Road, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
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Cao K, Pan H, Zhao Y, Bie H, Wang J, Zhu G, Fang W, Chen C, Wang X, Li Y, Wu J, Khan IA, Zhang J, Wang L. Discovery of a key gene associated with fruit maturity date and analysis of its regulatory pathway in peach. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2023:111735. [PMID: 37230192 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2023.111735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Fruit maturity is an important agronomic trait of fruit crops. Although in previous studies, several molecular markers are developed for the trait, the knowledge about its candidate genes is particularly limited. In this study, a total of 357 peach accessions were re-sequenced to obtain 949,638 SNPs. Combing with 3-year fruit maturity dates, a genome-wide association analysis was performed, and 5, 8, and 9 association loci were identified. To screen the candidate genes for those year-stable loci on chromosomes 4 and 5, two maturity date mutants were used for transcriptome sequencing. Gene expression analysis indicated that Prupe.4G186800 and Prupe.4G187100 on chromosome 4 were essential to fruit ripening in peaches. However, the expression analysis of different tissues showed that the first gene has no tissue-specific character, but transgenic studies showed that the latter is more likely to be a key candidate gene than the first for the maturity date in peach. The yeast two-hybrid assay showed that the proteins encoded by the two genes interacted and then regulated fruit ripening. Moreover, the previously identified 9bp insertion in Prupe.4G186800 may affect their interaction ability. This research is of great significance for understanding the molecular mechanism of peach fruit ripening and developing practical molecular markers in a breeding program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Cao
- The Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Fruit Tree Breeding Technology), Ministry of Agriculture, Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450009, China
| | - Haifa Pan
- Horticulture Research Institute, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Science, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Yalin Zhao
- The Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Fruit Tree Breeding Technology), Ministry of Agriculture, Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450009, China
| | - Hangling Bie
- The Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Fruit Tree Breeding Technology), Ministry of Agriculture, Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450009, China
| | - Jiao Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Fruit Tree Breeding Technology), Ministry of Agriculture, Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450009, China
| | - Gengrui Zhu
- The Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Fruit Tree Breeding Technology), Ministry of Agriculture, Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450009, China
| | - Weichao Fang
- The Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Fruit Tree Breeding Technology), Ministry of Agriculture, Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450009, China
| | - Changwen Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Fruit Tree Breeding Technology), Ministry of Agriculture, Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450009, China
| | - Xinwei Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Fruit Tree Breeding Technology), Ministry of Agriculture, Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450009, China
| | - Yong Li
- The Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Fruit Tree Breeding Technology), Ministry of Agriculture, Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450009, China
| | - Jinlong Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Fruit Tree Breeding Technology), Ministry of Agriculture, Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450009, China
| | - Irshad Ahmad Khan
- The Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Fruit Tree Breeding Technology), Ministry of Agriculture, Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450009, China
| | - Jinyun Zhang
- Horticulture Research Institute, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Science, Hefei 230031, China.
| | - Lirong Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Fruit Tree Breeding Technology), Ministry of Agriculture, Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450009, China.
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Feng Y, Kou X, Yuan S, Wu C, Zhao X, Xue Z, Li Q, Huang Z, Sun Y. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated SNAC9 mutants reveal the positive regulation of tomato ripening by SNAC9 and the mechanism of carotenoid metabolism regulation. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2023; 10:uhad019. [PMID: 37035856 PMCID: PMC10076210 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhad019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
NAC transcriptional regulators are crucial for tomato ripening. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of SNAC9 (SlNAC19, Gene ID: 101248665) affects tomato ripening, and SNAC9 is involved in ethylene and abscisic acid (ABA) metabolic pathways. However, the function of SNAC9 in pigment metabolism in tomatoes remains unclear. This work seeks to discover the mechanism of SNAC9 involvement in pigment metabolism during tomato ripening by establishing a SNAC9 knockout model using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The results indicated that fruit ripening was delayed in knockout (KO) mutants, and SNAC9 mutation significantly affected carotenoid metabolism. The chlorophyll (Chl) degradation rate, total carotenoid content, and lycopene content decreased significantly in the mutants. The transformation rate of chloroplasts to chromoplasts in mutants was slower, which was related to the carotenoid content. Furthermore, SNAC9 changed the expression of critical genes (PSY1, PDS, CRTISO, Z-ISO, SGR1, DXS2, LCYE, LCYB, and CrtR-b2) involved in pigment metabolism in tomato ripening. SNAC9 knockout also altered the expression levels of critical genes involved in the biosynthesis of ethylene and ABA. Accordingly, SNAC9 regulated carotenoid metabolism by directly regulating PSY1, DXS2, SGR1, and CrtR-b2. This research provides a foundation for developing the tomato ripening network and precise tomato ripening regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Feng
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | | | - Shuai Yuan
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Caie Wu
- College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Xiaoyang Zhao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Zhaohui Xue
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Qingxiu Li
- College of Food Science and Biological Engineering, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Zhengyu Huang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Yijie Sun
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
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Tonutti P, Brizzolara S, Beckles DM. Reducing crop losses by gene-editing control of organ developmental physiology. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2023; 81:102925. [PMID: 37003167 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.102925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Some physiological processes in reproductive organs, if not controlled, can lead to crop loss even in the absence of environmental stress. These processes may occur pre- or post- harvest, and in diverse species and include abscission processes in cereal grain, e.g., shattering and in immature fruit, e.g., preharvest drop, preharvest sprouting of cereals, and postharvest senescence in fruit. Some of the molecular mechanisms and genetic determinants underlying these processes are now better detailed, making it possible to refine them by gene editing. Here, we discuss using advanced genomics to identify genetic determinants underlying crop physiological traits. Examples of improved phenotypes developed for preharvest problems are provided, and suggestions for reducing postharvest fruit losses by gene and promoter editing were made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Tonutti
- Crop Science Research Center, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Brizzolara
- Crop Science Research Center, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Diane M Beckles
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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Deng L, Yang T, Li Q, Chang Z, Sun C, Jiang H, Meng X, Huang T, Li CB, Zhong S, Li C. Tomato MED25 regulates fruit ripening by interacting with EIN3-like transcription factors. THE PLANT CELL 2023; 35:1038-1057. [PMID: 36471914 PMCID: PMC10015170 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koac349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Fruit ripening relies on the precise spatiotemporal control of RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-dependent gene transcription, and the evolutionarily conserved Mediator (MED) coactivator complex plays an essential role in this process. In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), a model climacteric fruit, ripening is tightly coordinated by ethylene and several key transcription factors. However, the mechanism underlying the transmission of context-specific regulatory signals from these ripening-related transcription factors to the Pol II transcription machinery remains unknown. Here, we report the mechanistic function of MED25, a subunit of the plant Mediator transcriptional coactivator complex, in controlling the ethylene-mediated transcriptional program during fruit ripening. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that MED25 physically interacts with the master transcription factors of the ETHYLENE-INSENSITIVE 3 (EIN3)/EIN3-LIKE (EIL) family, thereby playing an essential role in pre-initiation complex formation during ethylene-induced gene transcription. We also show that MED25 forms a transcriptional module with EIL1 to regulate the expression of ripening-related regulatory as well as structural genes through promoter binding. Furthermore, the EIL1-MED25 module orchestrates both positive and negative feedback transcriptional circuits, along with its downstream regulators, to fine-tune ethylene homeostasis during fruit ripening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, National Centre for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovative Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tianxia Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, National Centre for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovative Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Pomology, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zeqian Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, National Centre for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovative Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chuanlong Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, National Centre for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovative Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hongling Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, National Centre for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovative Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xianwen Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Horticulture Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China
| | - Tingting Huang
- Institute of Vegetable, Qingdao Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Chang-Bao Li
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (North China), Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing Vegetable Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Silin Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Chuanyou Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, National Centre for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovative Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Xing S, Li R, Zhao H, Zhai H, He S, Zhang H, Zhou Y, Zhao N, Gao S, Liu Q. The transcription factor IbNAC29 positively regulates the carotenoid accumulation in sweet potato. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2023; 10:uhad010. [PMID: 36960431 PMCID: PMC10028406 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhad010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Carotenoid is a tetraterpene pigment beneficial for human health. Although the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway has been extensively studied in plants, relatively little is known about their regulation in sweet potato. Previously, we conducted the transcriptome database of differentially expressed genes between the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) cultivar 'Weiduoli' and its high-carotenoid mutant 'HVB-3'. In this study, we selected one of these candidate genes, IbNAC29, for subsequent analyses. IbNAC29 belongs to the plant-specific NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) transcription factor family. Relative IbNAC29 mRNA level in the HVB-3 storage roots was ~1.71-fold higher than Weiduoli. Additional experiments showed that the contents of α-carotene, lutein, β-carotene, zeaxanthin, and capsanthin are obviously increased in the storage roots of transgenic sweet potato plants overexpressing IbNAC29. Moreover, the levels of carotenoid biosynthesis genes in transgenic plants were also up-regulated. Nevertheless, yeast one-hybrid assays indicated that IbNAC29 could not directly bind to the promoters of these carotenoid biosynthesis genes. Furthermore, the level of IbSGR1 was down-regulated, whose homologous genes in tomato can negatively regulate carotene accumulation. Yeast three-hybrid analysis revealed that the IbNAC29-IbMYB1R1-IbAITR5 could form a regulatory module. Yeast one-hybrid, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, quantitative PCR analysis of chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that IbAITR5 directly binds to and inhibits the promoter activity of IbSGR1, up-regulating carotenoid biosynthesis gene IbPSY. Taken together, IbNAC29 is a potential candidate gene for the genetic improvement of nutritive value in sweet potato.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihan Xing
- Key Laboratory of Sweet Potato Biology and Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement/Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization, Ministry of Education, College of Agronomy & Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ruijie Li
- Key Laboratory of Sweet Potato Biology and Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement/Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization, Ministry of Education, College of Agronomy & Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Haoqiang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Sweet Potato Biology and Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement/Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization, Ministry of Education, College of Agronomy & Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Hong Zhai
- Key Laboratory of Sweet Potato Biology and Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement/Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization, Ministry of Education, College of Agronomy & Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shaozhen He
- Key Laboratory of Sweet Potato Biology and Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement/Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization, Ministry of Education, College of Agronomy & Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Sweet Potato Biology and Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement/Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization, Ministry of Education, College of Agronomy & Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Sweet Potato Biology and Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement/Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization, Ministry of Education, College of Agronomy & Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ning Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Sweet Potato Biology and Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement/Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization, Ministry of Education, College of Agronomy & Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
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Liu J, Qiao Y, Li C, Hou B. The NAC transcription factors play core roles in flowering and ripening fundamental to fruit yield and quality. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1095967. [PMID: 36909440 PMCID: PMC9996081 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1095967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Fruits are derived from flowers and play an important role in human food, nutrition, and health. In general, flowers determine the crop yield, and ripening affects the fruit quality. Although transcription factors (TFs) only account for a small part of plant transcriptomes, they control the global gene expression and regulation. The plant-specific NAC (NAM, ATAF, and CUC) TFs constitute a large family evolving concurrently with the transition of both aquatic-to-terrestrial plants and vegetative-to-reproductive growth. Thus, NACs play an important role in fruit yield and quality by determining shoot apical meristem (SAM) inflorescence and controlling ripening. The present review focuses on the various properties of NACs together with their function and regulation in flower formation and fruit ripening. Hitherto, we have a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of NACs in ripening through abscisic acid (ABA) and ethylene (ETH), but how NACs regulate the expression of the inflorescence formation-related genes is largely unknown. In the future, we should focus on the analysis of NAC redundancy and identify the pivotal regulators of flowering and ripening. NACs are potentially vital manipulation targets for improving fruit quantity and quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuyuan Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cui Li
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bingzhu Hou
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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D'Incà E, Foresti C, Orduña L, Amato A, Vandelle E, Santiago A, Botton A, Cazzaniga S, Bertini E, Pezzotti M, Giovannoni J, Vrebalov J, Matus JT, Tornielli GB, Zenoni S. The transcription factor VviNAC60 regulates senescence- and ripening-related processes in grapevine. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023:kiad050. [PMID: 36718552 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the most widely cultivated fruit crops because the winemaking industry has huge economic relevance worldwide. Uncovering the molecular mechanisms controlling the developmental progression of plant organs will prove essential for maintaining high-quality grapes, expressly in the context of climate change, which impairs the ripening process. Through a deep inspection of transcriptomic data, we identified VviNAC60, a member of the NAC transcription factor family, as a putative regulator of grapevine organ maturation. We explored VviNAC60 binding landscapes through DNA affinity purification followed by sequencing and compared bound genes with transcriptomics datasets from grapevine plants stably and transiently overexpressing VviNAC60 to define a set of high-confidence targets. Among these, we identified key molecular markers associated with organ senescence and fruit ripening. Physiological, metabolic, and promoter activation analyses showed that VviNAC60 induces chlorophyll degradation and anthocyanin accumulation through the up-regulation of STAY-GREEN PROTEIN 1 (VviSGR1) and VviMYBA1, respectively, with the latter being up-regulated through a VviNAC60-VviNAC03 regulatory complex. Despite sharing a closer phylogenetic relationship with senescence-related homologues to the NAC transcription factor AtNAP, VviNAC60 complemented the non-ripening(nor) mutant phenotype in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), suggesting a dual role as an orchestrator of both ripening- and senescence-related processes. Our data support VviNAC60 as a regulator of processes initiated in the grapevine vegetative- to mature-phase organ transition and therefore as a potential target for enhancing the environmental resilience of grapevine by fine-tuning the duration of the vegetative phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica D'Incà
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Chiara Foresti
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Luis Orduña
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Universitat de València-CSIC, Paterna, 46908, Valencia, Spain
| | - Alessandra Amato
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Elodie Vandelle
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Antonio Santiago
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Universitat de València-CSIC, Paterna, 46908, Valencia, Spain
| | - Alessandro Botton
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Stefano Cazzaniga
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Edoardo Bertini
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Mario Pezzotti
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - James Giovannoni
- USDA-ARS Robert W. Holley Center and Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, Tower Road, Cornell Campus, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Julia Vrebalov
- USDA-ARS Robert W. Holley Center and Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, Tower Road, Cornell Campus, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - José Tomás Matus
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Universitat de València-CSIC, Paterna, 46908, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Sara Zenoni
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
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Kim JY, Kim JH, Jang YH, Yu J, Bae S, Kim MS, Cho YG, Jung YJ, Kang KK. Transcriptome and Metabolite Profiling of Tomato SGR-Knockout Null Lines Using the CRISPR/Cas9 System. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010109. [PMID: 36613549 PMCID: PMC9820150 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Stay-green 1 (SGR1) protein is a critical regulator of chlorophyll degradation and senescence in plant leaves; however, the functions of tomato SGR1 remain ambiguous. Here, we generated an SGR1-knockout (KO) null line via clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9-mediated gene editing and conducted RNA sequencing and gas chromatography−tandem mass spectrometry analysis to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Solanum lycopersicum SGR1 (SlSGR1) knockout null line clearly showed a turbid brown color with significantly higher chlorophyll and carotenoid levels than those in the wild-type (WT) fruit. Differential gene expression analysis revealed 728 DEGs between WT and sgr#1-6 line, including 263 and 465 downregulated and upregulated genes, respectively, with fold-change >2 and adjusted p-value < 0.05. Most of the DEGs have functions related to photosynthesis, chloroplasts, and carotenoid biosynthesis. The strong changes in pigment and carotenoid content resulted in the accumulation of key primary metabolites, such as sucrose and its derivatives (fructose, galactinol, and raffinose), glycolytic intermediates (glucose, glucose-6-phosphate, and fructose-6-phosphate), and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates (malate and fumarate) in the leaves and fruit of the SGR-KO null lines. Overall, the SGR1-KO null lines developed here provide new evidence for the mechanisms underlying the roles of SGR1 as well as the molecular pathways involved in photosynthesis, chloroplasts, and carotenoid biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Young Kim
- Division of Horticultural Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Hee Kim
- Division of Horticultural Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Hee Jang
- Division of Horticultural Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihyeon Yu
- Division of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon 21990, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangsu Bae
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Me-Sun Kim
- Department of Crop Science, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Gu Cho
- Department of Crop Science, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu Jin Jung
- Division of Horticultural Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Genetic Engineering, Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (Y.J.J.); (K.K.K.); Tel.: +82-31-670-5101 (Y.J.J.); +82-31-670-5104 (K.K.K.)
| | - Kwon Kyoo Kang
- Division of Horticultural Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Genetic Engineering, Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (Y.J.J.); (K.K.K.); Tel.: +82-31-670-5101 (Y.J.J.); +82-31-670-5104 (K.K.K.)
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Integrated Analysis of Widely Targeted Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Reveals the Effects of Transcription Factor NOR-like1 on Alkaloids, Phenolic Acids, and Flavonoids in Tomato at Different Ripening Stages. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12121296. [PMID: 36557334 PMCID: PMC9853326 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12121296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Tomato is abundant in alkaloids, phenolic acids, and flavonoids; however, the effect of transcription factor NOR-like1 on these metabolites in tomato is unclear. We used a combination of widely targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics to analyze wild-type tomatoes and CR-NOR-like1 tomatoes. A total of 83 alkaloids, 85 phenolic acids, and 96 flavonoids were detected with significant changes. Combined with a KEGG enrichment analysis, we revealed 16 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in alkaloid-related arginine and proline metabolism, 60 DEGs were identified in the phenolic acid-related phenylpropane biosynthesis, and 30 DEGs were identified in the flavonoid-related biosynthesis pathway. In addition, some highly correlated differential-expression genes with differential metabolites were further identified by correlation analysis. The present research provides a preliminary view of the effects of NOR-like1 transcription factor on alkaloid, phenolic acid, and flavonoid accumulation in tomatoes at different ripening stages based on widely targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics in plants, laying the foundation for extending fruit longevity and shelf life as well as cultivating stress-resistant plants.
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Sang K, Li J, Qian X, Yu J, Zhou Y, Xia X. The APETALA2a/DWARF/BRASSINAZOLE-RESISTANT 1 module contributes to carotenoid synthesis in tomato fruits. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 112:1238-1251. [PMID: 36271694 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Ethylene (ET) signaling plays a critical role in the ripening of climacteric fruits such as tomato. Brassinosteroids (BRs) were found to promote the ripening of both climacteric and non-climacteric fruits. However, the mechanism of interaction between ET and BRs during fruit ripening is unclear. Here, we found that BR synthesis and signaling increased after the onset of fruit ripening. Overexpression of the BR synthesis gene DWARF (DWF) promotedfruit softening, lycopene synthesis and ET production, whereas defect of DWF inhibited them. BRASSINAZOLE RESISTANT 1 (BZR1) as a key component of BR signaling, enhanced fruit lycopene content by directly activating the transcription of PSY1 gene. Interestingly, the increases in BR synthesis and BZR1 protein levels were dependent on ET signaling. Knocking out the ET-induced APETALA2a (AP2a) suppressed the expression of DWF and BR accumulation. Molecular assays demonstrated that AP2a was a positive regulator of DWF expression. Furthermore, 28-homobrassinolide, a bioactive BR, partially compensated the defects of lycopene accumulation and expression of PSY1 in ap2a mutant fruits. The results demonstrated that AP2a mediated ET signaling to regulate BR synthesis and signaling. BRs played critical roles in lycopene synthesis after onset of fruit ripening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangqi Sang
- Department of Horticulture, Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Junjie Li
- Department of Horticulture, Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangjie Qian
- Department of Horticulture, Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingquan Yu
- Department of Horticulture, Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China
- Hainan Institute, Zhejiang University, Sanya, 572025, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plants Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Agricultural Ministry of China, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanhong Zhou
- Department of Horticulture, Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China
- Hainan Institute, Zhejiang University, Sanya, 572025, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojian Xia
- Department of Horticulture, Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China
- Hainan Institute, Zhejiang University, Sanya, 572025, People's Republic of China
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Qi X, Dong Y, Liu C, Song L, Chen L, Li M. The PavNAC56 transcription factor positively regulates fruit ripening and softening in sweet cherry (Prunus avium). PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2022; 174:e13834. [PMID: 36437693 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The rapid softening of sweet cherry fruits during ripening results in the deterioration of fruit quality. However, few genes related to sweet cherry fruit ripening and softening have been identified, and the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying this process are poorly understood. Here, we identified and functionally characterized PavNAC56, a NAC transcription factor that positively regulates sweet cherry fruit ripening and softening. Gene expression analyses showed that PavNAC56 was specifically and abundantly expressed in the fruit, and its transcript levels increased in response to abscisic acid (ABA). A subcellular localization analysis revealed that PavNAC56 is a nucleus-localized protein. Virus-induced gene silencing of PavNAC56 inhibited fruit ripening, enhanced fruit firmness, decreased the contents of ABA, anthocyanins, and soluble solids, and down-regulated several fruit ripening-related genes. Yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase assays showed that PavNAC56 directly binds to the promoters of several genes related to cell wall metabolism (PavPG2, PavEXPA4, PavPL18, and PavCEL8) and activates their expression. Overall, our findings show that PavNAC56 plays an indispensable role in controlling the ripening and softening of sweet cherry fruit and provides new insights into the regulatory mechanisms by which NAC transcription factors affect nonclimacteric fruit ripening and softening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiliang Qi
- Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuanxin Dong
- Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Congli Liu
- Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lulu Song
- Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ming Li
- Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, China
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Niu XL, Li HL, Li R, Liu GS, Peng ZZ, Jia W, Ji X, Zhu HL, Zhu BZ, Grierson D, Giuliano G, Luo YB, Fu DQ. Transcription factor SlBEL2 interferes with GOLDEN2-LIKE and influences green shoulder formation in tomato fruits. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 112:982-997. [PMID: 36164829 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Chloroplasts play a crucial role in plant growth and fruit quality. However, the molecular mechanisms of chloroplast development are still poorly understood in fruits. In this study, we investigated the role of the transcription factor SlBEL2 (BEL1-LIKE HOMEODOMAIN 2) in fruit of Solanum lycopersicum (tomato). Phenotypic analysis of SlBEL2 overexpression (OE-SlBEL2) and SlBEL2 knockout (KO-SlBEL2) plants revealed that SlBEL2 has the function of inhibiting green shoulder formation in tomato fruits by affecting the development of fruit chloroplasts. Transcriptome profiling revealed that the expression of chloroplast-related genes such as SlGLK2 and SlLHCB1 changed significantly in the fruit of OE-SlBEL2 and KO-SlBEL2 plants. Further analysis showed that SlBEL2 could not only bind to the promoter of SlGLK2 to inhibit its transcription, but also interacted with the SlGLK2 protein to inhibit the transcriptional activity of SlGLK2 and its downstream target genes. SlGLK2 knockout (KO-SlGLK2) plants exhibited a complete absence of the green shoulder, which was consistent with the fruit phenotype of OE-SlBEL2 plants. SlBEL2 showed an expression gradient in fruits, in contrast with that reported for SlGLK2. In conclusion, our study reveals that SlBEL2 affects the formation of green shoulder in tomato fruits by negatively regulating the gradient expression of SlGLK2, thus providing new insights into the molecular mechanism of fruit green shoulder formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Lin Niu
- Laboratory of Fruit Biology, College of Food Science & Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Hong-Li Li
- Laboratory of Fruit Biology, College of Food Science & Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Rui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Gang-Shuai Liu
- Laboratory of Fruit Biology, College of Food Science & Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Zhen-Zhen Peng
- Laboratory of Fruit Biology, College of Food Science & Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Wen Jia
- Laboratory of Fruit Biology, College of Food Science & Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xiang Ji
- Laboratory of Fruit Biology, College of Food Science & Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Hong-Liang Zhu
- Laboratory of Fruit Biology, College of Food Science & Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Ben-Zhong Zhu
- Laboratory of Fruit Biology, College of Food Science & Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Donald Grierson
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Plant Sciences Division, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Giovanni Giuliano
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Casaccia Res. Ctr, Via Anguillarese 301, Rome, 00123, Italy
| | - Yun-Bo Luo
- Laboratory of Fruit Biology, College of Food Science & Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Da-Qi Fu
- Laboratory of Fruit Biology, College of Food Science & Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
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46
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Choi I, Ahn CS, Lee DH, Baek SA, Jung JW, Kim JK, Lee HS, Pai HS. Silencing of the Target of Rapamycin Complex Genes Stimulates Tomato Fruit Ripening. Mol Cells 2022; 45:660-672. [PMID: 35993163 PMCID: PMC9448650 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2022.2025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The target of rapamycin complex (TORC) plays a key role in plant cell growth and survival by regulating the gene expression and metabolism according to environmental information. TORC activates transcription, mRNA translation, and anabolic processes under favorable conditions, thereby promoting plant growth and development. Tomato fruit ripening is a complex developmental process promoted by ethylene and specific transcription factors. TORC is known to modulate leaf senescence in tomato. In this study, we investigated the function of TORC in tomato fruit ripening using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of the TORC genes, TOR, lethal with SEC13 protein 8 (LST8), and regulatory-associated protein of TOR (RAPTOR). Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed that the expression levels of tomato TORC genes were the highest in the orange stage during fruit development in Micro-Tom tomato. VIGS of these TORC genes using stage 2 tomato accelerated fruit ripening with premature orange/red coloring and decreased fruit growth, when control tobacco rattle virus 2 (TRV2)-myc fruits reached the mature green stage. TORC-deficient fruits showed early accumulation of carotenoid lycopene and reduced cellulose deposition in pericarp cell walls. The early ripening fruits had higher levels of transcripts related to fruit ripening transcription factors, ethylene biosynthesis, carotenoid synthesis, and cell wall modification. Finally, the early ripening phenotype in Micro-Tom tomato was reproduced in the commercial cultivar Moneymaker tomato by VIGS of the TORC genes. Collectively, these results demonstrate that TORC plays an important role in tomato fruit ripening by modulating the transcription of various ripening-related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilyeong Choi
- Department of Systems Biology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Chang Sook Ahn
- Department of Systems Biology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Platform Technology Research Center, Corporate R&D, LG Chem/LG Science Park, Seoul 07796, Korea
| | - Du-Hwa Lee
- Department of Systems Biology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Seung-A Baek
- Division of Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Korea
| | - Jung Won Jung
- Division of Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Korea
| | - Jae Kwang Kim
- Division of Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Korea
| | - Ho-Seok Lee
- Department of Biology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
| | - Hyun-Sook Pai
- Department of Systems Biology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
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47
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Increased ACS Enzyme Dosage Causes Initiation of Climacteric Ethylene Production in Tomato. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810788. [PMID: 36142701 PMCID: PMC9501751 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fruits of wild tomato species show different ethylene-dependent ripening characteristics, such as variations in fruit color and whether they exhibit a climacteric or nonclimacteric ripening transition. 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase (ACS) and ACC oxidase (ACO) are key enzymes in the ethylene biosynthetic pathway encoded by multigene families. Gene duplication is a primary driver of plant diversification and angiosperm evolution. Here, interspecific variations in the molecular regulation of ethylene biosynthesis and perception during fruit ripening in domesticated and wild tomatoes were investigated. Results showed that the activated ACS genes were increased in number in red-ripe tomato fruits than in green-ripe tomato fruits; therefore, elevated dosage of ACS enzyme promoted ripening ethylene production. Results showed that the expression of three ACS isogenes ACS1A, ACS2, and ACS4, which are involved in autocatalytic ethylene production, was higher in red-ripe tomato fruits than in green-ripe tomato fruits. Elevated ACS enzyme dosage promoted ethylene production, which corresponded to the climacteric response of red-ripe tomato fruits. The data suggest that autoinhibitory ethylene production is common to all tomato species, while autocatalytic ethylene production is specific to red-ripe species. The essential regulators Non-ripening (NOR) and Ripening-Inhibitor (RIN) have experienced gene activation and overlapped with increasing ACS enzyme dosage. These complex levels of transcript regulation link higher ethylene production with spatiotemporal modulation of gene expression in red-ripe tomato species. Taken together, this study shows that bursts in ethylene production that accompany fruit color changes in red-ripe tomatoes are likely to be an evolutionary adaptation for seed dispersal.
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Gao Y, Lin Y, Xu M, Bian H, Zhang C, Wang J, Wang H, Xu Y, Niu Q, Zuo J, Fu DQ, Pan Y, Chen K, Klee H, Lang Z, Zhang B. The role and interaction between transcription factor NAC-NOR and DNA demethylase SlDML2 in the biosynthesis of tomato fruit flavor volatiles. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 235:1913-1926. [PMID: 35686614 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Flavor-imparting volatile chemicals accumulate as fruits ripen, making major contributions to taste. The NAC transcription factor nonripening (NAC-NOR) and DNA demethylase 2 (SlDML2) are essential for tomato fruit ripening, but details of the potential roles and the relationship between these two regulators in the synthesis of volatiles are lacking. Here, we show substantial reductions in fatty acid and carotenoid-derived volatiles in tomato slnor and sldml2 mutants. An unexpected finding is the redundancy and divergence in volatile profiles, biosynthetic gene expression, and DNA methylation in slnor and sldml2 mutants relative to wild-type tomato fruit. Reduced transcript levels are accompanied by hypermethylation of promoters, including the NAC-NOR target gene lipoxygenase (SlLOXC) that is involved in fatty acid-derived volatile synthesis. Interestingly, NAC-NOR activates SlDML2 expression by directly binding to its promoter both in vitro and in vivo. Meanwhile, reduced NAC-NOR expression in the sldml2 mutant is accompanied by hypermethylation of its promoter. These results reveal a relationship between SlDML2-mediated DNA demethylation and NAC-NOR during tomato fruit ripening. In addition to providing new insights into the metabolic modulation of flavor volatiles, the outcome of our study contributes to understanding the genetics and control of fruit ripening and quality attributes in tomato.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Gao
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yujing Lin
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, and National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, Center of Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Min Xu
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Hanxiao Bian
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jingyu Wang
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Hanqing Wang
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yaping Xu
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, and National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, Center of Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qingfeng Niu
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, and National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, Center of Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jinhua Zuo
- Institute of Agri-food Processing and Nutrition, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Da-Qi Fu
- Laboratory of Fruit Biology, College of Food Science & Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yu Pan
- Key Laboratory of Horticulture Science for Southern Mountainous Regions, Ministry of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Kunsong Chen
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Harry Klee
- Horticultural Sciences, Genetic Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Zhaobo Lang
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, and National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, Center of Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, 310058, China
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49
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Shi Y, Li BJ, Su G, Zhang M, Grierson D, Chen KS. Transcriptional regulation of fleshy fruit texture. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 64:1649-1672. [PMID: 35731033 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Fleshy fruit texture is a critically important quality characteristic of ripe fruit. Softening is an irreversible process which operates in most fleshy fruits during ripening which, together with changes in color and taste, contributes to improvements in mouthfeel and general attractiveness. Softening results mainly from the expression of genes encoding enzymes responsible for cell wall modifications but starch degradation and high levels of flavonoids can also contribute to texture change. Some fleshy fruit undergo lignification during development and post-harvest, which negatively affects eating quality. Excessive softening can also lead to physical damage and infection, particularly during transport and storage which causes severe supply chain losses. Many transcription factors (TFs) that regulate fruit texture by controlling the expression of genes involved in cell wall and starch metabolism have been characterized. Some TFs directly regulate cell wall targets, while others act as part of a broader regulatory program governing several aspects of the ripening process. In this review, we focus on advances in our understanding of the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms governing fruit textural change during fruit development, ripening and post-harvest. Potential targets for breeding and future research directions for the control of texture and quality improvement are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanna Shi
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Bai-Jun Li
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Guanqing Su
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Mengxue Zhang
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Donald Grierson
- State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Division of Plant and Crop Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Kun-Song Chen
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, 310058, China
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50
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Zhu F, Jadhav SS, Tohge T, Salem MA, Lee JM, Giovannoni JJ, Cheng Y, Alseekh S, Fernie AR. A comparative transcriptomics and eQTL approach identifies SlWD40 as a tomato fruit ripening regulator. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 190:250-266. [PMID: 35512210 PMCID: PMC9434188 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Although multiple vital genes with strong effects on the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) ripening process have been identified via the positional cloning of ripening mutants and cloning of ripening-related transcription factors (TFs), recent studies suggest that it is unlikely that we have fully characterized the gene regulatory networks underpinning this process. Here, combining comparative transcriptomics and expression QTLs, we identified 16 candidate genes involved in tomato fruit ripening and validated them through virus-induced gene silencing analysis. To further confirm the accuracy of the approach, one potential ripening regulator, SlWD40 (WD-40 repeats), was chosen for in-depth analysis. Co-expression network analysis indicated that master regulators such as RIN (ripening inhibitor) and NOR (nonripening) as well as vital TFs including FUL1 (FRUITFUL1), SlNAC4 (NAM, ATAF1,2, and CUC2 4), and AP2a (Activating enhancer binding Protein 2 alpha) strongly co-expressed with SlWD40. Furthermore, SlWD40 overexpression and RNAi lines exhibited substantially accelerated and delayed ripening phenotypes compared with the wild type, respectively. Moreover, transcriptome analysis of these transgenics revealed that expression patterns of ethylene biosynthesis genes, phytoene synthase, pectate lyase, and branched chain amino transferase 2, in SlWD40-RNAi lines were similar to those of rin and nor fruits, which further demonstrated that SlWD40 may act as an important ripening regulator in conjunction with RIN and NOR. These results are discussed in the context of current models of ripening and in terms of the use of comparative genomics and transcriptomics as an effective route for isolating causal genes underlying differences in genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Takayuki Tohge
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Am Mühlenberg 1, Potsdam-Golm 14476, Germany
| | - Mohamed A Salem
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, Menoufia University, Menoufia 32511, Egypt
| | | | - James J Giovannoni
- Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
- US Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service, Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - Yunjiang Cheng
- National R&D Center for Citrus Preservation, Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology, Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430070, China
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