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The chimeric repressor version of an E thylene Response Factor ( ERF ) family member, Sl‐ ERF .B3 , shows contrasting effects on tomato fruit ripening
Author(s) -
Liu Mingchun,
Diretto Gianfranco,
Pirrello Julien,
Roustan JeanPaul,
Li Zhengguo,
Giuliano Giovanni,
Regad Farid,
Bouzayen Mondher
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.12771
Subject(s) - ripening , climacteric , repressor , ethylene , softening , solanum , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , biology , chemistry , biochemistry , gene expression , genetics , botany , statistics , menopause , mathematics , catalysis
Summary Fruit ripening involves a complex interplay between ethylene and ripening‐associated transcriptional regulators. E thylene R esponse F actors ( ERF s) are downstream components of ethylene signaling, known to regulate the expression of ethylene‐responsive genes. Although fruit ripening is an ethylene‐regulated process, the role of ERF s remains poorly understood. The role of S l‐ ERF . B 3 in tomato ( S olanum lycopersicum ) fruit maturation and ripening is addressed here using a chimeric dominant repressor version ( ERF . B 3‐ SRDX ). Over‐expression of ERF . B 3‐ SRDX results in a dramatic delay of the onset of ripening, enhanced climacteric ethylene production and fruit softening, and reduced pigment accumulation. Consistently, genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis and in softening are up‐regulated and those of carotenoid biosynthesis are down‐regulated. 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 ERF s is severely altered. 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. Overall, the study sheds new light on the role of S l‐ ERF . B 3 in the transcriptional network controlling the ripening process and uncovers a means towards uncoupling some of the main ripening‐associated processes.