Abstract The AP2/ERF family is widely involved in processes such as plant growth and development, hormonal response, and can affect changes in fruit texture. In order to investigate the expression pattern and function of AP2/ERF family member ABR1 (abscisic acid repressor 1) in the ripening process of jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) fruit, this study used 'Laoqiu zao' (Ziziphus jujuba cv. 'Laoqiu zao') as the material, ZjABR1 gene (LOC107409847) was cloned and its bioinformatics, subcellular localization, and expression were analyzed. An overexpression vector was constructed for transient transformation. Yeast one hybrid experiment was performed. The study found that the CDS region of the ZjABR1 gene was 1 344 bp, encoded 447 amino acids, and contained an AP2 binding domain. The subcellular localization analysis revealed that the ZjABR1 protein was presented in nucleus. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that ZjABR1 was highly expressed in the jujube fruit fully ripe stage. Transient overexpression of ZjABR1 gene enhanced polygalacturonase (PG) activity and the expression level of ZjPG. Yeast one hybrid demonstrated that ZjABR1 could directly bind to the ZjPG promoter. This study provided a basis for research on the molecular mechanisms of jujube fruit ripening.
ZHANG Peng-Fei,QIU Li-Ping,CHAO Rui-Qiang, et al. Cloning and Functional Validation of the ZjABR1 Gene in 'Laoqiu zao' (Ziziphus jujuba)[J]. 农业生物技术学报, 2024, 32(8): 1766-1775.
[1] 赖瑞联, 陈瑾, 冯新, 等. 2019. 橄榄CaERF109和CaABR1基因的克隆及其表达特性分析[J]. 农业生物技术学报, 27: 421-430. (Lai R L, Chen J, Fen X, et al.2019. Cloning and expression characteristics analysis of CaERF109 and CaABR1 gene in Canarium album[J]. Journal Of Agricultural Biotechnology, 27: 421-430.) [2] 林敏娟, 张晶晶, 王建宇, 等. 2021. 枣裂果生理特性与相关基因的表达分析[J]. 山西农业大学学报(自然科学版), 41(6): 67-74. (Lin M J, Zhang J J, Wang J Y, et al.2021. Physiological characteristics of Jujube fruit cracking and expression analysis of related genes[J]. Journal of Shanxi Agricultural University (Nature Science Edition), 41(6): 67-74.) [3] Chandler J, Werr W.2020. A phylogenetically conserved APETALA2/ethylene response factor, ERF12, regulates Arabidopsis floral development[J]. Plant Molecular Biology, 102: 39-54. [4] Chen Y, Zhang L, Zhang H, et al.2021. ERF1 delays flowering through direct inhibition of FLOWERING LOCUS T expression in Arabidopsis[J]. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, 63(10): 1712-1723. [5] Cheng C, Liu J, Wang X, et al.2022. PpERF/ABR1 functions as an activator to regulate PpPG expression resulting in fruit softening during storage in peach (Prunus persica)[J]. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 189: 111919. [6] Fabi J P, Broetto S G, Silva S L G L D, et al.2014. Analysis of papaya cell wall-related genes during fruit ripening indicates a central role of polygalacturonases during pulp softening[J]. PLoS One, 9(8): 105685. [7] Feng B H, Han Y C, Xiao Y Y, et al.2016. The banana fruit Dof transcription factor MaDof23 acts as a repressor and interacts with MaERF9 in regulating ripening-related genes[J]. Journal of Experimental Botany, 67(8): 2263-2275. [8] Gao H, Wu X, Yang X, et al.2022. Silicon inhibits gummosis in peach via ethylene and PpERF-PpPG1 pathway[J]. Plant Science, 322: 111362. [9] Ge Y, Duan B, Li C, et al.2018. Application of sodium silicate retards apple softening by suppressing the activity of enzymes related to cell wall degradation[J]. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 99(4): 1828-1833. [10] Gu C, Guo Z H, Hao P P, et al.2017. Multiple regulatory roles of AP2/ERF transcription factor in angiosperm[J]. Botanical Studies, 58(6): 1-8. [11] Han D, Han J, Yang G, et al.2020. An ERF transcription factor gene from Malus baccata (L.) Borkh, MbERF11, affects cold and salt stress tolerance in Arabidopsis[J]. Forests, 11(5): 514. [12] He Y, Xue J, Li H, et al.2020. Ethylene response factors regulate ethylene biosynthesis and cell wall modification in persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) fruit during ripening[J]. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 168: 111255. [13] Hou Y Y, Wu F, Zhao Y T, et al.2019. Cloning and expression analysis of polygalacturonase and pectin methylesterase genes during softening in apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.). Scientia Horticulturae, 256(15): 108607. [14] Hu Y, Han Z, Sun Y, et al.2020. ERF4 affects fruit firmness through TPL4 by reducing ethylene production[J]. The Plant Journal, 103(3): 937-950. [15] Huang J, Zhang C, Zhao X, et al.2016. The jujube genome provides insights into genome evolution and the domestication of sweetness/acidity taste in fruit trees[J]. PLoS Genetics, 12(12): 1006433. [16] Jiang L, Li R, Yang J, et al.2023. Ethylene response factor ERF022 is involved in regulating Arabidopsis root growth[J]. Plant Molecular Biology, 113: 1-17. [17] Jofuku K D, Den Boer B, Van Montagu M, et al.1994. Control of Arabidopsis flower and seed development by the homeotic gene APETALA2[J]. The Plant Cell, 6(9): 1211-1225. [18] Li T, Liu Z, Lv T, et al.2023. Phosphorylation of mdcytokinin response factor4 suppresses ethylene biosynthesis during apple fruit ripening[J]. Plant Physiology, 191(1): 694-714. [19] Li Y, Zhu B, Xu W, et al.2007. LeERF1 positively modulated ethylene triple response on etiolated seedling, plant development and fruit ripening and softening in tomato[J]. Plant Cell Reports, 26(11): 1999-2008. [20] Liang C, Yang B, Wei Y, et al.2021. SA incubation induced accumulation of flavan-3-ols through activated VvANR expression in grape leaves[J]. Scientia Horticulturae, 287: 110269. [21] Ma L, Hu L, Fan J, et al.2017. Cotton GhERF38 gene is involved in plant response to salt/drought and ABA[J]. Ecotoxicology, 26(6): 841-854. [22] Mao J L, Miao Z Q, Wang Z, et al.2016. Arabidopsis ERF1 mediates cross-talk between ethylene and auxin biosynthesis during primary root elongation by regulating ASA1 expression[J]. PLoS Genetics, 12(5): 1005760. [23] Murray M, Thompson W.1980. Rapid isolation of high molecular weight plant DNA[J]. Nucleic Acids Research, 8: 4321-4326. [24] Ni J, Wang S, Yu W, et al.2023. The ethylene-responsive transcription factor PpERF9 represses PpRAP2 and PpMYB114 via histone deacetylation to inhibit anthocyanin biosynthesis in pear[J]. The Plant Cell, 35(6): 2271-2292. [25] Quesada M A, Blanco-Portales R, Posé S, et al.2009. Antisense down-regulation of the FaPG1 gene reveals an unexpected central role for polygalacturonase in strawberry fruit softening[J]. Plant Physiology, 150(2): 1022-1032. [26] Song L, Wang Z, Wang Z, et al.2016. Screening of cell wall-related genes that are expressed differentially during ripening of pears with different softening characteristics[J]. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 115: 1-8. [27] Wang X, Zeng W, Ding Y, et al.2019. Peach ethylene response factor PpeERF2 represses the expression of ABA biosynthesis and cell wall degradation genes during fruit ripening[J]. Plant Science, 283: 116-126. [28] Wang Y, Fan Z, Zhai Y, et al.2023. Polygalacturonase gene family analysis identifies FcPG12 as a key player in fig (Ficus carica L.) fruit softening[J]. BMC Plant Biology, 23(1): 1-15. [29] Yang Y, Anderson C T. and Cao, J.2021. Polygalacturonase45 cleaves pectin and links cell proliferation and morphogenesis to leaf curvature in Arabidopsis thaliana[J]. The Plant Journal, 106(6): 1493-1508. [30] Ye B B, Shang G D, Pan Y, et al.2020. AP2/ERF transcription factors integrate age and wound signals for root regeneration[J]. The Plant Cell, 32(1): 226-241. [31] Zhang Z, Li X.2018. Genome-wide identification of AP2/ERF superfamily genes and their expression during fruit ripening of Chinese jujube[J]. Scientific Reports, 8: 15612. [32] Zhao Y, Zhu X, Hou Y, et al.2021. Effects of harvest maturity stage on postharvest quality of winter jujube (Zizyphus jujuba Mill. cv. Dongzao) fruit during cold storage[J]. Scientia Horticulturae, 277: 109778.
