In the case of fleshy fruits, these changes not only make fruit attractive for seed dispersal organisms, but also provide essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants (phenolics, folate, lycopene and β-carotene) for human diet (Seymour et al., 1993 Fraser et al., 2009 Chung et al., 2010).įruits have been classically categorized into climacteric and non-climacteric based on increased ethylene synthesis and a concomitant rise in the rate of respiration during ripening. Although specific fruit ripening characteristics vary among species, fruit ripening can be generally described as a complex, genetically programmed process that culminates in dramatic changes in color, texture, flavor, aroma and nutritional characteristics (Carrari & Fernie, 2006). The maturation and ripening of fleshy fruits are developmental processes unique to plants. Overall, the study sheds new light on the role of Sl-ERF.B 3 in the transcriptional network controlling the ripening process and uncovers a means towards uncoupling some of the main ripening-associated processes. The data suggest the existence of a complex network enabling interconnection between ERF genes which may account for the pleiotropic alterations in fruit maturation and ripening.Moreover, the expression of ripening regulators, such as RIN, NOR, CNR and HB-1, is stimulated in ERF.B3-SRDX dominant repressor fruits and the expression pattern of a number of ERFs is severely altered. Consistently, genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis and in softening are up-regulated and those of carotenoid biosynthesis are down-regulated. B3-SRDX results in a dramatic delay of the onset of ripening, enhanced climacteric ethylene production and fruit softening, and reduced pigment accumulation. The role of Sl-ERF.B3 in tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum) fruit maturation and ripening is addressed here using a chimeric dominant repressor version (ERF.B3-SRDX).Although fruit ripening is an ethylene-regulated process, the role of ERFs remains poorly understood. Ethylene Response Factors ( ERFs) are downstream components of ethylene signaling, known to regulate the expression of ethylene-responsive genes. Fruit ripening involves a complex interplay between ethylene and ripening-associated transcriptional regulators.
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