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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 March 2025) | Viewed by 13244

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Xiangbin Xu

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Guest Editor

School of Food Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Interests: postharvest biology; fruit; ripening; senescence; chilling injury; pathogen infection
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The economic losses caused by the postharvest decay of fruits are enormous. The pre- and postharvest biology and technology are important to maintain the quality and flavor of fruits, and to avoid economic losses. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of fruits in response to pre- and postharvest ripening and senescence, chilling injury, browning, pathogen infection, etc., is important for the storage of fruits and for extending their shelf-life. This Special Issue, entitled 'Advances in Genetics, Epigenetics and Postharvest Biology of Fruits', will explore advances in the pre- and postharvest biology and technology of fruits, and promote the development of fruit storage technologies. Both original articles and reviews are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Xiangbin Xu
Guest Editor

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Keywords

postharvest biology
fruit
ripening
senescence
chilling injury
browning
nutrition
pathogen infection

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

18 pages, 8966 KB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profiling of the Invertase Genes Involved in Sugar Metabolism and Accumulation in Actinidia arguta

by Xu Qiang, Ting Ren, Ying Zhang and Yun Jia

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(5), 2150; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26052150 - 27 Feb 2025

Viewed by 741

Abstract

Invertase (INV, EC3.2.1.26) is widely recognized as an indispensable enzyme for catalyzing sucrose degradation and plays a central role in plant growth as well as fruit quality improvement. However, no systematic study has been performed in kiwifruit. Here, we identified 102 AaINV genes in the Actinidia arguta “M1” genome. Their physical and chemical properties, subcellular localizations, phylogenetic relationships and expression profiles were characterized. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the INV members were clustered into three groups (vacuole invertases (VINVs) and cell wall invertases (CWINVs) in Group I, alkaline/neutral invertase (NINVs) in Group II and Group III), demonstrating evolutionary conservation in the INV family across Arabidopsis and Actinidia species. Gene replication analysis revealed that many AaINV genes were derived from gene duplication events. Molecular evolution analysis based on Ka/Ks ratios indicated that the INV members have experienced extensive purifying selection during evolution. To explore the potential gene functions, we integrated RNA-seq and metabolomics to analyze AaINV gene expression patterns and sugar accumulation in three A. arguta varieties (“Kukuwa”, “Qinhuang”, “Xianziguang”), respectively. The expression analysis of the 102 genes showed that the expression patterns varied among the three kiwifruit varieties at fruit maturity stage. The expression levels of AaINVs were also investigated via qRT-PCR in these varieties. Specifically, we constructed a complex regulatory network that regulates sugar metabolism in kiwifruit based on the correlation between 42 AaINV genes and 14 sugar metabolites. These findings provide insights into physiological functions of AaINVs in kiwifruit, especially roles in governing sugars accumulation in fruits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Genetics, Epigenetics and Postharvest Biology of Fruits)

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17 pages, 2272 KB

Open AccessArticle

DNA Methylation Is Crucial for 1-Methylcyclopropene Delaying Postharvest Ripening and Senescence of Tomato Fruit

by Zhiqiang Wang, Jinmei Xie, Wenhui Duan, Zhengke Zhang, Lanhuan Meng, Lisha Zhu, Qing Wang, Hongmiao Song and Xiangbin Xu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(1), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26010168 - 28 Dec 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1188

Abstract

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification process that can alter the functionality of a genome. It has been reported to be a key regulator of fruit ripening. In this study, the DNA methylation changes of CpG islands of ethylene signaling genes regulated by 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) during ripening and senescence of tomato fruit were detected. The results showed that the 1-MCP treatment decreased the accumulation of lycopene, maintained the content of vitamin C, and delayed the ripening and senescence of tomato fruit. The quantitative real-time PCR and bisulfite sequencing analysis showed that 1-MCP treatment changed the expression and the DNA methylation level of CpG islands related to the ethylene signaling pathway genes, among which the DNA methylation change of LeEIN3 was the most significant. Compared with the control, 1-MCP treatment increased the DNA methylation level of the CpG island of the LeEIN3 gene, reduced the expression of LeEIN3 in tomato fruit, and was involved in 1-MCP delaying the postharvest senescence of tomato fruit. The results indicated that DNA methylation changes of ethylene signaling genes were involved in ethylene synthesis and signal transduction and played an important role in the regulation of 1-methylcyclopropene, delaying postharvest ripening and senescence of tomato fruit. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Genetics, Epigenetics and Postharvest Biology of Fruits)

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18 pages, 5687 KB

Open AccessArticle

Transcriptome and Metabolome Analyses Reveal Sugar and Acid Accumulation during Apricot Fruit Development

by Ningning Gou, Chen Chen, Mengzhen Huang, Yujing Zhang, Haikun Bai, Hui Li, Lin Wang and Tana Wuyun

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(23), 16992; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242316992 - 30 Nov 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2483

Abstract

The apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is a fruit that belongs to the Rosaceae family; it has a unique flavor and is of important economic and nutritional value. The composition and content of soluble sugars and organic acids in fruit are key factors in determining the flavor quality. However, the molecular mechanism of sugar and acid accumulation in apricots remains unclear. We measured sucrose, fructose, glucose, sorbitol, starch, malate, citric acid, titratable acid, and pH, and investigated the transcriptome profiles of three apricots (the high-sugar cultivar ‘Shushanggan’, common-sugar cultivar ‘Sungold’, and low-sugar cultivar ‘F43’) at three distinct developmental phases. The findings indicated that ‘Shushanggan’ accumulates a greater amount of sucrose, glucose, fructose, and sorbitol, and less citric acid and titratable acid, resulting in a better flavor; ‘Sungold’ mainly accumulates more sucrose and less citric acid and starch for the second flavor; and ‘F43’ mainly accumulates more titratable acid, citric acid, and starch for a lesser degree of sweetness. We investigated the DEGs associated with the starch and sucrose metabolism pathways, citrate cycle pathway, glycolysis pathway, and a handful of sugar transporter proteins, which were considered to be important regulators of sugar and acid accumulation. Additionally, an analysis of the co-expression network of weighted genes unveiled a robust correlation between the brown module and sucrose, glucose, and fructose, with VIP being identified as a hub gene that interacted with four sugar transporter proteins (SLC35B3, SLC32A, SLC2A8, and SLC2A13), as well as three structural genes for sugar and acid metabolism (MUR3, E3.2.1.67, and CSLD). Furthermore, we found some lncRNAs and miRNAs that regulate these genes. Our findings provide clues to the functional genes related to sugar metabolism, and lay the foundation for the selection and cultivation of high-sugar apricots in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Genetics, Epigenetics and Postharvest Biology of Fruits)

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16 pages, 5073 KB

Open AccessArticle

Regulation of Embden–Meyerhof–Parnas (EMP) Pathway and Tricarboxylic Acid (TCA) Cycle Concerning Aberrant Chilling Injury Behavior in Postharvest Papaya (Carica papaya L.)

by Lijin Huang, Shoukui Tao, Yi Zhu, Yonggui Pan, Zhengke Zhang, Zhiqian Yu and Yezhen Chen

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(18), 13898; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241813898 - 9 Sep 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2337

Abstract

Postharvest abnormal chilling injury (CI) behavior in papaya (Carica papaya L.) fruit is a rare phenomenon that may be associated with respiratory metabolism. This study thus aimed to investigate the impacts of storage temperatures (1 and 6 °C) on the respiratory metabolism of postharvest papaya and its impact on CI development. Results demonstrated that 1 °C storage reduced the activities of hexokinase (HK), phosphofructokinase (PFK), pyruvate kinase (PK), citrate synthase (CS), and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (α-KGDH) and regulated the expression of corresponding enzymes in the Embden–Meyerhof–Parnas (EMP) pathway and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle compared with 6 °C storage, resulting in a lower respiration rate of the EMP-TCA pathway and mitigating the development of CI. Meanwhile, lower contents of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (hydrogen) (NAD(H)) were observed in papaya fruit stored at 1 °C. Notably, papaya fruit stored at 1 °C maintained higher activity and transcriptional levels of SDH and IDH during the whole storage period. These findings suggest that 1 °C storage reduced the respiration rate of the EMP-TCA pathway by reducing the expression level and activity of related enzymes, which is conducive to the reduction of respiration substrate consumption and finally alleviating the occurrence of CI. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Genetics, Epigenetics and Postharvest Biology of Fruits)

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18 pages, 2444 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Elevated Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Exposure on Magic Tomatoes’ Nutrition–Health Properties

by Linda Boufeldja, Frederic Boudard, Karine Portet, Caroline Guzman, Sylvie Morel, Nathalie Berger, Orianne Duchamp, Claudie Dhuique-Mayer, Christian Dubos and Patrick Poucheret

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(16), 12815; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241612815 - 15 Aug 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1468

Abstract

The release of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere has accelerated during the last two decades. Elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentration (eCO₂) is known as an agent that improves plant photosynthesis. However, eCO₂ was also correlated with alterations in the macronutrient and micronutrient compositions of various dietary crops. In order to explore the effect of eCO₂ on the nutritional and health properties of tomatoes, three parental lines of the Magic population, which includes a large part of the genetic diversity present in large fruit varieties, were used as models. The plants were grown in growth chambers under ambient (400 ppm) or eCO₂ (900 ppm) conditions. The macronutrient and micronutrient contents were measured. The anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory bioactivities were assessed in vitro on activated macrophages. These analyses highlighted that the carbohydrate content was not affected by the eCO₂, whereas the protein, carotenoid, lycopene, and mineral contents decreased. Regarding the anti-oxidant properties, no influence of eCO₂ exposure was observed. Similarly, the anti-inflammatory properties were not affected by the eCO₂. These data are in contrast with previous studies conducted on different plant species or accessions, indicating that the effect of eCO₂ on crops’ nutrition and health properties is based on complex mechanisms in which growth conditions and genetic backgrounds play a central role. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Genetics, Epigenetics and Postharvest Biology of Fruits)

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Review

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41 pages, 1975 KB

Open AccessReview

Genetic and Biotechnological Approaches to Improve Fruit Bioactive Content: A Focus on Eggplant and Tomato Anthocyanins

by Maria Cammareri, Amy Frary, Anne Frary and Silvana Grandillo

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(12), 6811; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25126811 - 20 Jun 2024

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3662

Abstract

Anthocyanins are a large group of water-soluble flavonoid pigments. These specialized metabolites are ubiquitous in the plant kingdom and play an essential role not only in plant reproduction and dispersal but also in responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Anthocyanins are recognized as important health-promoting and chronic-disease-preventing components in the human diet. Therefore, interest in developing food crops with improved levels and compositions of these important nutraceuticals is growing. This review focuses on work conducted to elucidate the genetic control of the anthocyanin pathway and modulate anthocyanin content in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), two solanaceous fruit vegetables of worldwide relevance. While anthocyanin levels in eggplant fruit have always been an important quality trait, anthocyanin-based, purple-fruited tomato cultivars are currently a novelty. As detailed in this review, this difference in the anthocyanin content of the cultivated germplasm has largely influenced genetic studies as well as breeding and transgenic approaches to improve the anthocyanin content/profile of these two important solanaceous crops. The information provided should be of help to researchers and breeders in devising strategies to address the increasing consumer demand for nutraceutical foods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Genetics, Epigenetics and Postharvest Biology of Fruits)

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