Expression profile of transcripts encoding cell wall remodelling proteins in tomato fruit cv. Micro-Tom subjected to 15°C storage

Abstract

To extend fruit market life, tomatoes are harvested before red ripe and kept at temperatures below optimum (20°C). In this work, Micro-Tom tomatoes stored at 20°C (normal ripening) were compared with those stored at 15°C or 4°C (chilling injury inducer) for 7 days. In contrast to 4°C, storage at 15°C delayed ripening with the benefit of not enhancing oxidative metabolism and of enabling ripening upon being transferred to 20°C. The transcriptional expression profile of enzymes related to cell wall metabolism was compared at the three temperatures. Although endo-β-1,4-glucanase (Cel1), which is associated with fruit decay, was largely increased after removal from 4°C storage, its expression was not modified in fruits stored at 15°C. Enhanced transcriptional expression of xyloglucan endotransgylcosylase/hydrolases (XTHs) XTH1, –2, –10 and –11, and of two β-xylosidases (Xyl1–2) was detected in fruits stored at 15°C with respect to those at 20°C. Following 2 days at 20°C, these transcripts remained higher in fruits stored at 15°C and XHT3 and –9 also increased. Ethylene evolution was similar in fruits kept at 15°C and 20°C; thus, the changes in the transcript profile and fruit properties between these treatments may be under the control of factors other than ethylene.

Cell wall-related genes studies on peach cultivars with differential susceptibility to woolliness: looking for candidates as indicators of chilling tolerance

“…A possible role of b-xylosidase gene in the tolerance to CI has been previously suggested by Falara et al (2011) in peach fruit, as this gene also showed higher transcript levels in a tolerant cultivar in comparison to a susceptible one. In tomato, the b-xylosidase LeXyl2 is up-regulated at low temperatures suggesting a possible role of the protein in fruit defence against the incidence of CI symptoms (Page et al 2010;Müller et al 2013). Recently, it was reported that a reduction in the transcription of a PL gene can contribute to the development of peach woolliness (González-Agüero et al 2008), and a similar role could be expected for PpPL2.…”

Overexpression of glycine-rich RNA-binding protein in tomato renders fruits with higher protein content after cold storage

“…Firmness, coloration, and fresh mass were determined according to Müller et al (2013). Percentage of soluble solids in tomato juice was tested using a refractometer Atago N1 for 0 -32 °C (USA; Borsani et al 2009).…”

Transcriptome Responses of Ripe Cherry Tomato Fruit Exposed to Chilling and Rewarming Identify Reversible and Irreversible Gene Expression Changes

“…Comparisons between studies using different cultivars, developmental stages and temperature regimes can be problematic, but using an S. pennellii -S. lycopersicum introgression line harvested at breaker and stored at 3 • C for 14 days, Rugkong et al (2011) observed limited recovery of mRNA abundance during subsequent rewarming for PG2a, TBG4, and EXP1, but not for XTH5 or PE1. In mature green 'Micro-Tom' fruit, storage at 4 • C for 7 days reduced mRNA abundances of PME1, Cel1, EXP1, TBG4, and XTH5, and expression of all of these recovered to some extent after transfer to 20 • C for 2 days (Müller et al, 2013). However, 7 days at 4 • C may not be sufficient to induce permanent chilling injury.…”