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Characterization of tomato fruit ripening and analysis of gene expression in F 1 hybrids of the ripening inhibitor ( rin ) mutant
Author(s) -
Kitagawa Mamiko,
Ito Hirotaka,
Shiina Takeo,
Nakamura Nobutaka,
Inakuma Takahiro,
Kasumi Takafumi,
Ishiguro Yukio,
Yabe Kimiko,
Ito Yasuhiro
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3054.2005.00460.x
Subject(s) - ripening , mutant , climacteric , expansin , biology , ethylene , biochemistry , gene , pectinase , wild type , gene expression , microbiology and biotechnology , enzyme , genetics , botany , menopause , catalysis
The ripening inhibitor ( rin ) mutation of tomato yields non‐ripening fruit, and the gene corresponding to RIN , LeMADS‐RIN , is known to encode a transcriptional factor that controls ripening‐related genes. In this study, to evaluate the heterozygosity effect of rin on fruit ripening, we developed eight F 1 hybrid lines of the rin mutant from various crosses between the lines of the rin mutant and wild type. In the fruit of these F 1 hybrid lines, the shelf‐life was improved, but both the shelf‐life and colouring varied between the lines. We then chose one line of the F 1 hybrids and investigated the physiological and transcriptional properties of the fruit. Compared with the wild‐type parent, this F 1 line showed about half the lycopene content, lower fruit softening and lower mRNA accumulation of the genes that encode phytoene synthase ( Psy ), polygalacturonase ( PG ), β‐galactosidase ( TBG4 ) and expansin ( LeEXP1 ). The characteristic climacteric rise in ethylene production typically observed in the wild‐type parent during fruit maturation was not observed in the fruit of this F 1 line. The genes that encode ethylene biosynthetic enzymes, namely 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase ( ACS2 and ACS4 ) and ACC oxidase ( ACO1 ), were, however, significantly expressed in the F 1 hybrid, suggesting that the post‐transcriptional regulator for activating these enzymes is affected by LeMADS‐RIN . These results suggest that the heterologous effect of LeMADS‐RIN in F 1 hybrids affects the gene transcription and activation of ripening‐related factors, resulting in changes in fruit properties, including the extension of the shelf‐life.