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Yang H, Wei Z, Wu Y, Zhang C, Lyu L, Wu W, Li W. Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Profiling Reveals the Variations in Carbohydrate Metabolism between Two Blueberry Cultivars. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:293. [PMID: 38203463 PMCID: PMC10778917 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010293] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Blueberry is a high-quality fruit tree with significant nutritional and economic value, but the intricate mechanism of sugar accumulation in its fruit remains unclear. In this study, the ripe fruits of blueberry cultivars 'Anna' and 'Misty' were utilized as experimental materials, and physiological and multi-omics methodologies were applied to analyze the regulatory mechanisms of the difference in sugar content between them. The results demonstrated that the 'Anna' fruit was smaller and had less hardness than the 'Misty' fruit, as well as higher sugar content, antioxidant capability, and lower active substance content. A total of 7067 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (3674 up-regulated and 3393 down-regulated) and 140 differentially abundant metabolites (DAMs) (82 up-regulated and 58 down-regulated) were identified between the fruits of the two cultivars. According to KEGG analysis, DEGs were primarily abundant in phenylpropanoid synthesis and hormone signal transduction pathways, whereas DAMs were primarily enriched in ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and the pentose phosphate pathway. A combined multi-omics study showed that 116 DEGs and 3 DAMs in starch and sucrose metabolism (48 DEGs and 1 DAM), glycolysis and gluconeogenesis (54 DEGs and 1 DAM), and the pentose phosphate pathway (14 DEGs and 1 DAM) were significantly enriched. These findings suggest that blueberries predominantly increase sugar accumulation by activating carbon metabolism network pathways. Moreover, we identified critical transcription factors linked to the sugar response. This study presents new understandings regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying blueberry sugar accumulation and will be helpful in improving blueberry fruit quality through breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences (Nanjing Botanical Garden Mem. Sun Yat-Sen), Nanjing 210014, China; (H.Y.); (Y.W.); (C.Z.); (L.L.)
| | - Zhiwen Wei
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China;
| | - Yaqiong Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences (Nanjing Botanical Garden Mem. Sun Yat-Sen), Nanjing 210014, China; (H.Y.); (Y.W.); (C.Z.); (L.L.)
| | - Chunhong Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences (Nanjing Botanical Garden Mem. Sun Yat-Sen), Nanjing 210014, China; (H.Y.); (Y.W.); (C.Z.); (L.L.)
| | - Lianfei Lyu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences (Nanjing Botanical Garden Mem. Sun Yat-Sen), Nanjing 210014, China; (H.Y.); (Y.W.); (C.Z.); (L.L.)
| | - Wenlong Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences (Nanjing Botanical Garden Mem. Sun Yat-Sen), Nanjing 210014, China; (H.Y.); (Y.W.); (C.Z.); (L.L.)
| | - Weilin Li
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China;
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Huang J, Fu X, Li W, Ni Z, Zhao Y, Zhang P, Wang A, Xiao D, Zhan J, He L. Molecular Cloning, Expression Analysis, and Functional Analysis of Nine IbSWEETs in Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16615. [PMID: 38068939 PMCID: PMC10706379 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Sugar Will Eventually be Exported Transporter (SWEET) genes play an important regulatory role in plants' growth and development, stress response, and sugar metabolism, but there are few reports on the role of SWEET proteins in sweet potato. In this study, nine IbSWEET genes were obtained via PCR amplification from the cDNA of sweet potato. Phylogenetic analysis showed that nine IbSWEETs separately belong to four clades (Clade I~IV) and contain two MtN3/saliva domains or PQ-loop superfamily and six~seven transmembrane domains. Protein interaction prediction showed that seven SWEETs interact with other proteins, and SWEETs interact with each other (SWEET1 and SWEET12; SWEET2 and SWEET17) to form heterodimers. qRT-PCR analysis showed that IbSWEETs were tissue-specific, and IbSWEET1b was highly expressed during root growth and development. In addition to high expression in leaves, IbSWEET15 was also highly expressed during root expansion, and IbSWEET7, 10a, 10b, and 12 showed higher expression in the leaves. The expression of SWEETs showed a significant positive/negative correlation with the content of soluble sugar and starch in storage roots. Under abiotic stress treatment, IbSWEET7 showed a strong response to PEG treatment, while IbSWEET10a, 10b, and 12 responded significantly to 4 °C treatment and, also, at 1 h after ABA, to NaCl treatment. A yeast mutant complementation assay showed that IbSWEET7 had fructose, mannose, and glucose transport activity; IbSWEET15 had glucose transport activity and weaker sucrose transport activity; and all nine IbSWEETs could transport 2-deoxyglucose. These results provide a basis for further elucidating the functions of SWEET genes and promoting molecular breeding in sweet potato.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingli Huang
- College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (J.H.); (X.F.); (W.L.); (Z.N.); (Y.Z.); (P.Z.); (A.W.); (D.X.); (J.Z.)
- Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Industry Development Research Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Xuezhen Fu
- College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (J.H.); (X.F.); (W.L.); (Z.N.); (Y.Z.); (P.Z.); (A.W.); (D.X.); (J.Z.)
| | - Wenyan Li
- College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (J.H.); (X.F.); (W.L.); (Z.N.); (Y.Z.); (P.Z.); (A.W.); (D.X.); (J.Z.)
| | - Zhongwang Ni
- College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (J.H.); (X.F.); (W.L.); (Z.N.); (Y.Z.); (P.Z.); (A.W.); (D.X.); (J.Z.)
| | - Yanwen Zhao
- College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (J.H.); (X.F.); (W.L.); (Z.N.); (Y.Z.); (P.Z.); (A.W.); (D.X.); (J.Z.)
| | - Pinggang Zhang
- College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (J.H.); (X.F.); (W.L.); (Z.N.); (Y.Z.); (P.Z.); (A.W.); (D.X.); (J.Z.)
- Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Industry Development Research Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Aiqin Wang
- College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (J.H.); (X.F.); (W.L.); (Z.N.); (Y.Z.); (P.Z.); (A.W.); (D.X.); (J.Z.)
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agro-Product Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Dong Xiao
- College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (J.H.); (X.F.); (W.L.); (Z.N.); (Y.Z.); (P.Z.); (A.W.); (D.X.); (J.Z.)
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agro-Product Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Jie Zhan
- College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (J.H.); (X.F.); (W.L.); (Z.N.); (Y.Z.); (P.Z.); (A.W.); (D.X.); (J.Z.)
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agro-Product Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Longfei He
- Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Industry Development Research Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agro-Product Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
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Zhang M, Lu W, Yang X, Li Q, Lin X, Liu K, Yin C, Xiong B, Liao L, Sun G, He S, He J, Wang X, Wang Z. Comprehensive analyses of the citrus WRKY gene family involved in the metabolism of fruit sugars and organic acids. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1264283. [PMID: 37780491 PMCID: PMC10540311 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1264283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Sugars and organic acids are the main factors determining the flavor of citrus fruit. The WRKY transcription factor family plays a vital role in plant growth and development. However, there are still few studies about the regulation of citrus WRKY transcription factors (CsWRKYs) on sugars and organic acids in citrus fruit. In this work, a genome-wide analysis of CsWRKYs was carried out in the citrus genome, and a total of 81 CsWRKYs were identified, which contained conserved WRKY motifs. Cis-regulatory element analysis revealed that most of the CsWRKY promoters contained several kinds of hormone-responsive and abiotic-responsive cis-elements. Furthermore, gene expression analysis and fruit quality determination showed that multiple CsWRKYs were closely linked to fruit sugars and organic acids with the development of citrus fruit. Notably, transcriptome co-expression network analysis further indicated that three CsWRKYs, namely, CsWRKY3, CsWRKY47, and CsWRKY46, co-expressed with multiple genes involved in various pathways, such as Pyruvate metabolism and Citrate cycle. These CsWRKYs may participate in the metabolism of fruit sugars and organic acids by regulating carbohydrate metabolism genes in citrus fruit. These findings provide comprehensive knowledge of the CsWRKY family on the regulation of fruit quality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Xun Wang
- College of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhihui Wang
- College of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Jiang R, Wu L, Zeng J, Shah K, Zhang R, Hu G, Qin Y, Zhang Z. Identification of HuSWEET Family in Pitaya ( Hylocereus undatus) and Key Roles of HuSWEET12a and HuSWEET13d in Sugar Accumulation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12882. [PMID: 37629062 PMCID: PMC10454816 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612882] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The sugar composition and content of fruit have a significant impact on their flavor and taste. In pitaya, or dragon fruit, sweetness is a crucial determinant of fruit taste and consumer preference. The sugars will eventually be exported transporters (SWEETs), a novel group of sugar transporters that have various physiological functions, including phloem loading, seed filling, nectar secretion, and fruit development. However, the role of SWEETs in sugar accumulation in pitaya fruit is not yet clear. Here, we identified 19 potential members (HuSWEET genes) of the SWEET family in pitaya and analyzed their conserved motifs, physiochemical characteristics, chromosomal distribution, gene structure, and phylogenetic relationship. Seven highly conserved α-helical transmembrane domains (7-TMs) were found, and the HuSWEET proteins can be divided into three clades based on the phylogenetic analysis. Interestingly, we found two HuSWEET genes, HuSWEET12a and HuSWEET13d, that showed strong preferential expressions in fruits and an upward trend during fruit maturation, suggesting they have key roles in sugar accumulation in pitaya. This can be further roughly demonstrated by the fact that transgenic tomato plants overexpressing HuSWEET12a/13d accumulated high levels of sugar in the mature fruit. Together, our result provides new insights into the regulation of sugar accumulation by SWEET family genes in pitaya fruit, which also set a crucial basis for the further functional study of the HuSWEETs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Yonghua Qin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (South China), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (R.J.); (L.W.); (J.Z.); (K.S.); (R.Z.); (G.H.)
| | - Zhike Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (South China), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (R.J.); (L.W.); (J.Z.); (K.S.); (R.Z.); (G.H.)
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Fang H, Shi Y, Liu S, Jin R, Sun J, Grierson D, Li S, Chen K. The transcription factor CitZAT5 modifies sugar accumulation and hexose proportion in citrus fruit. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 192:1858-1876. [PMID: 36911987 PMCID: PMC10315291 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Sugars are fundamental to plant developmental processes. For fruits, the accumulation and proportion of sugars play crucial roles in the development of quality and attractiveness. In citrus (Citrus reticulata Blanco.), we found that the difference in sweetness between mature fruits of "Gongchuan" and its bud sport "Youliang" is related to hexose contents. Expression of a SuS (sucrose synthase) gene CitSUS5 and a SWEET (sugars will eventually be exported transporter) gene CitSWEET6, characterized by transcriptome analysis at different developmental stages of these 2 varieties, revealed higher expression levels in "Youliang" fruit. The roles of CitSUS5 and CitSWEET6 were investigated by enzyme activity and transient assays. CitSUS5 promoted the cleavage of sucrose to hexoses, and CitSWEET6 was identified as a fructose transporter. Further investigation identified the transcription factor CitZAT5 (ZINC FINGER OF ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA) that contributes to sucrose metabolism and fructose transportation by positively regulating CitSUS5 and CitSWEET6. The role of CitZAT5 in fruit sugar accumulation and hexose proportion was investigated by homologous transient CitZAT5 overexpression, -VIGS, and -RNAi. CitZAT5 modulates the hexose proportion in citrus by mediating CitSUS5 and CitSWEET6 expression, and the molecular mechanism explained the differences in sugar composition of "Youliang" and "Gongchuan" fruit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heting Fang
- College of Agriculture & Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Yanna Shi
- College of Agriculture & Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
- The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Shengchao Liu
- College of Agriculture & Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Rong Jin
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
- Department of Horticulture and Agricultural Experiment Station, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Jun Sun
- Zhejiang Agricultural Technology Extension Center, Hangzhou 310029, China
| | - Donald Grierson
- Division of Plant and Crop Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Shaojia Li
- College of Agriculture & Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
- The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Kunsong Chen
- College of Agriculture & Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
- The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
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Wang L, Zheng X, Ye Z, Su M, Zhang X, Du J, Li X, Zhou H, Huan C. Transcriptome Co-Expression Network Analysis of Peach Fruit with Different Sugar Concentrations Reveals Key Regulators in Sugar Metabolism Involved in Cold Tolerance. Foods 2023; 12:foods12112244. [PMID: 37297487 DOI: 10.3390/foods12112244] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Peach fruits are known to be highly susceptible to chilling injury (CI) during low-temperature storage, which has been linked to the level of sugar concentration in the fruit. In order to better understand the relationship between sugar metabolism and CI, we conducted a study examining the concentration of sucrose, fructose, and glucose in peach fruit with different sugar concentrations and examined their relationship with CI. Through transcriptome sequencing, we screened the functional genes and transcription factors (TFs) involved in the sugar metabolism pathway that may cause CI in peach fruit. Our results identified five key functional genes (PpSS, PpINV, PpMGAM, PpFRK, and PpHXK) and eight TFs (PpMYB1/3, PpMYB-related1, PpWRKY4, PpbZIP1/2/3, and PpbHLH2) that are associated with sugar metabolism and CI development. The analysis of co-expression network mapping and binding site prediction identified the most likely associations between these TFs and functional genes. This study provides insights into the metabolic and molecular mechanisms regulating sugar changes in peach fruit with different sugar concentrations and presents potential targets for breeding high-sugar and cold-tolerant peach varieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lufan Wang
- Forestry and Fruit Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China
- College of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Xiaolin Zheng
- College of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Zhengwen Ye
- Forestry and Fruit Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Horticultural Crop Genetic Improvement, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Mingshen Su
- Forestry and Fruit Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China
| | - Xianan Zhang
- Forestry and Fruit Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China
| | - Jihong Du
- Forestry and Fruit Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China
| | - Xiongwei Li
- Forestry and Fruit Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China
| | - Huijuan Zhou
- Forestry and Fruit Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Horticultural Crop Genetic Improvement, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Chen Huan
- College of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Horticultural Crop Genetic Improvement, Nanjing 210000, China
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Li S, Wu P, Yu X, Cao J, Chen X, Gao L, Chen K, Grierson D. Contrasting Roles of Ethylene Response Factors in Pathogen Response and Ripening in Fleshy Fruit. Cells 2022; 11:cells11162484. [PMID: 36010560 PMCID: PMC9406635 DOI: 10.3390/cells11162484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fleshy fruits are generally hard and unpalatable when unripe; however, as they mature, their quality is transformed by the complex and dynamic genetic and biochemical process of ripening, which affects all cell compartments. Ripening fruits are enriched with nutrients such as acids, sugars, vitamins, attractive volatiles and pigments and develop a pleasant taste and texture and become attractive to eat. Ripening also increases sensitivity to pathogens, and this presents a crucial problem for fruit postharvest transport and storage: how to enhance pathogen resistance while maintaining ripening quality. Fruit development and ripening involve many changes in gene expression regulated by transcription factors (TFs), some of which respond to hormones such as auxin, abscisic acid (ABA) and ethylene. Ethylene response factor (ERF) TFs regulate both fruit ripening and resistance to pathogen stresses. Different ERFs regulate fruit ripening and/or pathogen responses in both fleshy climacteric and non-climacteric fruits and function cooperatively or independently of other TFs. In this review, we summarize the current status of studies on ERFs that regulate fruit ripening and responses to infection by several fungal pathogens, including a systematic ERF transcriptome analysis of fungal grey mould infection of tomato caused by Botrytis cinerea. This deepening understanding of the function of ERFs in fruit ripening and pathogen responses may identify novel approaches for engineering transcriptional regulation to improve fruit quality and pathogen resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Li
- Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China
- Correspondence: (S.L.); (D.G.)
| | - Pan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Xiaofen Yu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Jinping Cao
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijinggang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xia Chen
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Lei Gao
- Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Kunsong Chen
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijinggang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijinggang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Donald Grierson
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijinggang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Plant and Crop Sciences Division, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
- Correspondence: (S.L.); (D.G.)
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