APETALA2/ethylene responsive factor in fruit ripening: Roles, interactions and expression regulation

Abstract

Insects and animals are attracted to, and feed on ripe fruit, thereby promoting seed dispersal. As a vital vitamin and nutrient source, fruit make up an indispensable and enjoyable component of the human diet. Fruit ripening involves a series of physiological and biochemical changes in, among others, pigmentation, chlorophyll (Chl) degradation, texture, sugar accumulation, and flavor. Growing evidence indicates that the coordinated and ordered trait changes during fruit ripening depend on a complex regulatory network consisting of transcription factors, co-regulators, hormonal signals, and epigenetic modifications. As one of the predominant transcription factor families in plants and a downstream component of ethylene signaling, more and more studies are showing that APETALA2/ethylene responsive factor (AP2/ERF) family transcription factors act as critical regulators in fruit ripening. In this review, we focus on the regulatory mechanisms of AP2/ERFs in fruit ripening, and in particular the recent results on their target genes and co-regulators. We summarize and discuss the role of AP2/ERFs in the formation of key fruit-ripening attributes, the enactment of their regulatory mechanisms by interaction with other proteins, their role in the orchestration of phytohormone-signaling networks, and the epigenetic modifications associated with their gene expression. Our aim is to provide a multidimensional perspective on the regulatory mechanisms of AP2/ERFs in fruit ripening, and a reference for understanding and furthering research on the roles of AP2/ERF in fruit ripening.

Genome-wide identification, structural characterization and expression profiling of AP2/ERF gene family in bayberry (Myrica rubra)

“…AP2/ERF, a large family of transcription factors with multiple functions, holds a pivotal role in plant growth, hormone regulation and response to environmental stresses [28]. In recent years, there has been increasing evidence that these TFs are also key regulators of fruit quality attributes such as ripening, color, texture, and avor [29,30]. Studies have shown that the transcriptome and expression pro le analysis of ERF gene family showed that it plays the role of transcriptional activator and suppressor in durian fruit ripening process [31].…”

Transcriptomic analysis of effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and ethylene treatment on kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) ripening

“…Thus, it is likely that photosynthesis biosynthetic pathway might be the one of major target by ET-mediated ripening process. In a consistency, previous studies reported that ET signaling factors like APETALA2/ethylene responsive factor (AP2/ERF) family genes play an important role in the fruit ripening through regulation of genes related to photosynthesis, chlorophyll metabolism during fruit ripening ( Zhai et al., 2022 ).…”

Genetic insights into superior grain number traits: a QTL analysis of wheat-Agropyron cristatum derivative pubing3228

“…The first, TraesCS7D01G148000, is hypothesized to encode a protein linked to aging processes in wheat, crucial for grain yield as they potentially facilitate nutrient reallocation to developing seeds [ 73 ]. The second, TraesCS7D01G117600, is believed to encode an ethylene-responsive transcription factor (ERF), part of the AP2/ERF family, instrumental in stress response, reproduction, defense, and hormone secretion regulation [ 74 ], with implications for flower development control [ 75 ]. The third, TraesCS7D01G117100, might be associated with histone H3, playing a role in the vernalization-induced transition from vegetative to reproductive growth through histone methylation [ 50 , 51 ], suggesting its potential impact on GNS due to the established relationship between GNS and growth phases [ 76 ].…”