Ethylene-Inducible AP2/ERF Transcription Factor Involved in the Capsaicinoid Biosynthesis in Capsicum

Abstract

Ethylene is very important in the process of plant development and regulates the biosynthesis of many secondary metabolites. In these regulatory mechanisms, transcription factors (TFs) that mediate ethylene signals play a very important role. Capsaicinoids (CAPs) are only synthesized and accumulated in Capsicum species, causing their fruit to have a special pungent taste, which can protect against attack from herbivores and pathogens. In this study, we identified the TF CcERF2, which is induced by ethylene, and demonstrated its regulatory effect on CAPs biosynthesis. Transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that the expression patterns of CcERF2 and multiple genes associated with CAPs biosynthesis were basically the same. The spatiotemporal expression results showed CcERF2 was preferentially expressed in the placenta of the spicy fruit. Ethylene can induce the expression of CcERF2 and CAPs biosynthesis genes (CBGs). CcERF2 gene silencing and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and pyrazinamide (PZA) treatments caused a decrease in expression of CBGs and a sharp decrease in content of CAPs. The results indicated that CcERF2 was indeed involved in the regulation of structural genes of the CAPs biosynthetic pathway.

SmEIL1 transcription factor inhibits tanshinone accumulation in response to ethylene signaling in Salvia miltiorrhiza

“…In the signaling pathway of plant, EIN3/EIL1 gene was thought to act as a core integration node between ET and other signals ( Shi et al., 2012 ; Liang et al., 2013 ; Liu et al., 2017 ; Bai et al., 2020 ). With the mediation of EIN3/EIL1 gene, ethylene can promote the accumulation of phenolic antioxidants in Daucus carota ( Heredia and Cisneros-Zevallos, 2009 ), the production of shikonin and its derivatives in Lithospermum erythrorhizon ( Fang et al., 2016 ),anthocyanin biosynthesis in apple ( An et al., 2018 ), and the biosynthesis of capsaicinoids in Capsicum ( Wen et al., 2022 ). ET-stabilized transcription factors EIN3 and EIL1 were validated to interact with multiple transcription factors to synergistically regulate anthocyanin accumulation, trichome formation, and defense against insect attack ( Song et al., 2022 ).…”

Comprehensive transcriptomic meta-analysis unveils new responsive genes to methyl jasmonate and ethylene in Catharanthus roseus

“…For instance, GARP's NIGT1 genes respond to phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) stresses, with some being downregulated following nitrogen stresses (NS) treatment [ 62 ]. Additionally, B3 subfamily proteins within the ERF family are associated to the regulation of secondary metabolites [ 63 ]. As a consequence, previous investigation of TF expression validates our observations regarding their regulatory involvement in stress responses and the synthesis of secondary metabolites.…”

Functional characterization of MdERF113 in apple

“…With the further development of genome sequencing technology, key TF families have been found in many plant species. According to previous studies, many TFs can improve plant tolerance to abiotic stresses (Wen et al, 2022;Xie et al, 2019). For example, OsIAA18 was involved in salt and drought tolerance and the GmTGA13, a soybean TGA TF, plays important roles in response to salinity stress (Ke et al, 2022;F.…”