Work

EjWRKY6 Is Involved in the ABA-Induced Carotenoid Biosynthesis in Loquat Fruit during Ripening

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The impact of abscisic acid (ABA) on carotenoid metabolism and flesh pigmentation in ripening loquat fruits was determined. The results revealed that ABA treatment enhanced the overall content of carotenoids in loquat fruit, including major components like β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and β-carotene, linked to the upregulation of most genes in the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway. Furthermore, a transcription factor, EjWRKY6, whose expression was induced by ABA, was identified and was thought to play a role in ABA-induced carotenoid acceleration. Transient overexpression of EjWRKY6 in Nicotiana benthamiana and stable genetic transformation in Nicotiana tabacum with EjWRKY6 indicated that both carotenoid production and genes related to carotenoid biosynthesis could be upregulated in transgenic plants. A dual luciferase assay proposed a probable transcriptional control between EjWRKY6 and promoters of genes associated with carotenoid production. To sum up, pre-harvest ABA application could lead to carotenoids biosynthesis in loquat fruit through the EjWRKY6-induced carotenoid biosynthetic pathway.

Source: Foods

DOI: 10.3390/foods13172829