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Updated: Jan 16, 2026
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Pulse-chase Analysis of N-linked Sugar Chains from Glycoproteins in Mammalian Cells
Published on: April 27, 2010
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Ethylene-Mediated Regulation of a Ripening-Specific N-glycan-processing enzyme β-D-N-Acetylhexosaminidase
Mohammad Irfan1,2, Pankaj Kumar3,4, Asis Datta3
1Plant Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA. mi239@cornell.edu.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|October 1, 2025
Summary
This study outlines a method to investigate how ethylene controls β-D-N-acetylhexosaminidase (β-Hex) during fruit ripening. Understanding this enzyme
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular biology
Background:
- N-glycoproteins and N-glycans are vital for plant development and stress responses.
- N-glycan-processing enzymes, like β-D-N-acetylhexosaminidase (β-Hex), regulate fruit ripening and softening.
- Ethylene signaling influences ripening-specific gene expression, including β-Hex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a protocol for studying ethylene-mediated regulation of β-Hex during fruit ripening.
- To elucidate the role of ethylene response factor 6 (SlERF6) in controlling β-Hex expression.
Main Methods:
- Developing a protocol to investigate enzyme regulation.
- Focusing on ethylene's role in gene expression.
- Utilizing tomato as a model fruit crop.
Main Results:
- β-Hex is a key enzyme in fruit softening during ripening.
- Suppression of β-Hex can extend fruit shelf life and maintain firmness.
- SlERF6 is a potential transcriptional regulator of β-Hex.
Conclusions:
- Ethylene plays a significant role in regulating β-Hex during fruit ripening.
- Further investigation into ethylene-mediated control of β-Hex is crucial for fruit quality.
- This protocol will aid in understanding plant N-glycan-processing enzymes.
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