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Expression analysis of candidate cell wall-related genes associated with changes in pectin biochemistry during postharvest apple softening

Tijdschriftbijdrage - Tijdschriftartikel

© 2015 Elsevier B.V. The property of apple fruit (Malus × domestica Borkh.) of being able to retain their postharvest firmness to some extent, is an important aspect in many breeding programs. A clear identification of genes responsible for softening is therefore imperative. Polygalacturonase1 has been identified in the literature as the main gene that regulates softening in fruits, including apple. The aim of this work was to identify the role of other key cell wall-related genes in apple. Candidate genes were selected within alpha-l-arabinofuranosidase (α-AF), beta-galactosidase (β-GAL), endo-polygalacturonase (PG), and pectin methylesterase (PME) gene families, by quantifying their expression in firm and soft 'Jonagold' apples, using qRT-PCR. Expression levels of candidate genes were further investigated in 'Jonagold' and 'Granny Smith' apples with or without 1-MCP treatment, stored for 6 months. 1-MCP treated fruit showed very low levels of ethylene production and no significant loss in firmness when placed under normal ripening conditions. During ripening in non-1-MCP treated 'Jonagold' and 'Granny Smith' apples, the expression of MdPG1, Mdβ-GAL1, Mdβ-GAL2, and Mdα-AF2 were upregulated by several folds, and showed positive correlations to softening and ethylene production. Softening was accompanied by polyuronide solubilisation and a significant loss in side chain neutral sugars. Mdβ-GAL2 expression levels during ripening of the untreated fruit were comparable to that of MdPG1. Correlation of Mdα-AF2 to softening was not as high as for MdPG1 and Mdβ-GAL2, while all candidate MdPME genes were downregulated during softening. This suggests that in addition to MdPG1, Mdβ-GAL2 may play a central role in apple fruit softening.
Tijdschrift: Postharvest Biology and Technology
ISSN: 0925-5214
Volume: 112
Pagina's: 176 - 185
Jaar van publicatie:2016
BOF-keylabel:ja
IOF-keylabel:ja
BOF-publication weight:6
CSS-citation score:3
Authors from:Private, Higher Education
Toegankelijkheid:Closed