Ethylene enhances MdMAPK3-mediated phosphorylation of MdNAC72 to promote apple fruit softening.

ABSTRACT: The phytohormone ethylene plays an important role in promoting the softening of climacteric fruits, such as apples (Malus domestica); however, important aspects of the underlying regulatory mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we identified apple MITOGEN-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE 3 (MdMAPK3) as an important positive regulator of ethylene-induced apple fruit softening during storage. Specifically, we show that MdMAPK3 interacts with and phosphorylates the transcription factor NAM-ATAF1/2-CUC2 72 (MdNAC72), which functions as a transcriptional repressor of the cell wall degradation-related gene POLYGALACTURONASE1 (MdPG1). The increase in MdMAPK3 kinase activity was induced by ethylene, which promoted the phosphorylation of MdNAC72 by MdMAPK3. Additionally, MdPUB24 functions as a

SUBMITTER: Wei Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10396387 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature