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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
12:07
Profiling Thiol Redox Proteome Using Isotope Tagging Mass Spectrometry
Published on: March 24, 2012
Peroxisomal thiolase mRNA is induced during mango fruit ripening
1CINVESTAV-Unidad Irapuato, Guanajuato, México.
Plant Molecular Biology
|August 1, 1995
Summary
Researchers identified a mango gene, pTHMF 1, encoding peroxisomal thiolase, crucial for beta-oxidation. This gene is upregulated during fruit ripening, suggesting a role in fatty acid metabolism during this developmental process.
Area of Science:
- Plant Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
- Fruit Development
Background:
- Fruit ripening is a complex, regulated process involving numerous genes.
- Previous research focused on ethylene and cell wall metabolism during ripening.
- Understanding molecular mechanisms in tropical fruits like mango is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular basis of fruit ripening in mango (Mangifera indica).
- To isolate and characterize genes specifically expressed during mango fruit ripening.
- To identify genes involved in fatty acid metabolism during fruit development.
Main Methods:
- Construction of a cDNA library from ripe mango mesocarp.
- Differential screening using RNA from unripe and ripe mango.
- Characterization of isolated cDNA (pTHMF 1) including sequence analysis and homology searches.
- Northern analysis to study gene expression patterns.
Main Results:
- Isolation and characterization of pTHMF 1, a mango cDNA encoding peroxisomal thiolase.
- The mango thiolase protein is highly homologous to cucumber, rat, and human thiolases.
- Northern analysis revealed that THMF 1 expression is upregulated during mango fruit ripening, a pattern also observed in tomato.
- THMF 1 expression was not affected by wounding or pathogen infection.
Conclusions:
- The study reports the first cloning of a plant gene involved in fatty acid metabolism that is induced during fruit ripening.
- Mango peroxisomal thiolase (pTHMF 1) plays a role in beta-oxidation and is upregulated during ripening.
- These findings contribute to understanding the molecular regulation of fatty acid metabolism in ripening fruits.
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