Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026

Measuring Gene Expression in Bombarded Barley Aleurone Layers with Increased Throughput
Published on: March 30, 2018
ABA may promote or delay peach fruit ripening through modulation of ripening- and hormone-related gene expression
Alvaro Soto1, Karina B Ruiz, Daniela Ravaglia
1Dept. of Agricultural Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy. ahsoto@gmail.com
Abstract:
Peach (Prunus persica laevis L. Batsch) was chosen as a model to further clarify the physiological role of ABA during fruit ripening. To this aim, branches bearing one fruit at mid-S3, S3/S4 and S4 stages of fruit development and characterized by a different ripening index (I(AD)), as revealed by a non-destructive device called a DA-meter, were treated with ABA (0.02 mM) for 1 and 5 days. Exogenously applied ABA interfered with the progression of ripening leading to less ripe or riper fruit depending on the physiological stage. To better understand the molecular basis of ABA interference with ripening, the time-course changes in the expression of ethylene-, cell wall-, and auxin-related genes as well as other genes (NCED, PIP, LOX, AOS and SOT) was evaluated in the fruit mesocarp. Real-time PCR analyses revealed that in mid-S3 fruit transcript levels of ethylene biosynthesis and signaling (ACS1, ACO1, ETR2, ERF2), cell wall softening-related (PG, PMEI, EXP1, EXP2) and auxin biosynthesis, conjugation, transport and perception (TRPB, IGPS, Aux/IAA, GH3, PIN1 and TIR1) genes were substantially down-regulated on day 5 indicating a ripening delay. On the contrary, in more advanced stages (S3/S4 and S4) the same genes were early (day 1) up-regulated suggesting an acceleration of ripening. Transcript profiling of other ripening-related genes revealed changes that were in accord with a ripening delay (mid-S3) or acceleration (S3/S4 and S4). Thus, in peach fruit, ABA appears to modulate ripening through interference not only with ethylene and cell wall but also with auxin-related genes.
Related Concept Videos
Plant Hormones
Plant Hormones
Fruit Development, Structure, and Function
Morphogenesis
Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
Cell Signaling in Plants
