A novel NAC transcription factor mediates negative regulation of early ethylene production and ripening in tomato fruits.

ABSTRACT: Timely initiation of fruit ripening is crucial for improving agricultural efficiency and shelf life. While the progression of tomato ripening and the roles of ethylene and its core transcriptional controls are well established from the breaker (BR) stage onwards, the molecular mechanisms that fine-tune the transition from fruit development to ripening remain poorly understood. In this study, we identified a previously uncharacterized NAC transcription factor (TF), Ripening Accelerator (RAR), as a key negative modulator of climacteric ripening onset. In fruit, RAR is highly expressed at the mature green (MG) stage and downregulated at BR stage, preceding the climacteric ethylene burst. Silencing RAR via RNA interference significantly accelerated fruit ripening an

SUBMITTER: Li J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12672533 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature