Molecular Module FcERF71-FcDREB1 of Fig Represses Fruit Softening via <i>FcPL7</i> and <i>FcPG12</i>
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY, cilt.74, sa.17, ss.13815-13827, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 74 Sayı: 17
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5c17383
- Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Compendex, EMBASE, MEDLINE, DIALNET
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.13815-13827
- Anahtar Kelimeler: ethylene, FcDREB1, FcERF71, Ficus carica, fruit softening
- Hatay Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır
Özet
Fruit firmness is a key quality trait affecting marketability, yet the regulatory mechanisms underlying softening remain poorly understood. In fig ( Ficus carica L.), we identified an AP2/ERF transcription factor, FcDREB1, as a repressor of fruit softening. FcDREB1 binds directly to the promoters of the key softening-related genes pectate lyase 7 (FcPL7) and polygalacturonase 12 (FcPG12) to suppress their expression and reduce PL and PG activity. Furthermore, we discovered FcERF71, an ethylene-induced AP2/ERF protein, which interacts physically with FcDREB1 and weakens the latter's trans-repression effect on FcPL7 and FcPG12. Notably, FcERF71 also directly inhibits FcDREB1 transcription. This intricate interplay between FcERF71 and FcDREB1 reveals a dynamic regulatory module for balancing key cell-wall-modifying enzymes during fig fruit ripening. Our findings elucidate the complex regulatory network governing fig fruit softening, paving the way for targeted genetic strategies to improve the storability.