Fruit Physiology through Signaling Processes: Latest Advances and Future Challenges

Dear Colleagues,

During all physiological events in living beings, including plants, a series of molecular interactions occur as a consequence of signaling process networks. This biological logistic develops a sequential stepwise communication that involves a signal emitting source (a biochemical reaction inside either a cell or a tissue), the signal unit (commonly a simple molecule), and a receptor/target (usually a recognition molecule). This simplistic view of cell signaling involves complex issues such as the high chemical reactivity of many of the signaling compounds against biological macromolecules, the activation of post-translational modifications, the recognition and the response specificities of the target elements, or unwanted subsidiary effects.

Fruits are amazing plant organs that occur at the final steps of the sexual reproductive chain in plants. From pollination to the emergence of new generations, many metabolic changes occur that participate in the setting, growth and development, ripening, and senescence of fruit. Throughout all these processes, new metabolic pathways involving different subcellular compartments (cytosol, cell wall, plastids, mitochondria, peroxisomes, etc.) are triggered, while some others are deactivated. All these events are mediated by signaling processes according to the interaction between the genome and the environmental conditions.

This Special Issue attempts to cover all issues relating to the signaling chains taking part in the metabolism of climacteric and nonclimacteric fruits, considering all physiological stages, the molecular mechanisms involved, or the identification and/or proposal of new molecules with signaling capacity, such as hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, hydrogen sulfide, and melatonin. Researchers with expertise in Plant Physiology, Plant Biochemistry, Plant Molecular and Cell Biology, Genetics, Chemistry, or Pharmacology are invited to participate in this Special Issue. Likewise, studies related to the postharvest stage and experimental approaches to palliate possible damage are also welcomed.

Prof. Dr. José M. Palma
Dr. Luciano Freschi
Prof. Francisco J. Corpas
Guest Editors

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