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Effect of 1-methylcyclopropene on expression of genes for ethylene biosynthesis enzymes and ethylene receptors in post-harvest broccoli

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Abstract

The effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), an ethylene action inhibitor, on the senescence of broccoli (Brassica oleracea, L. var. italica) after harvest were studied, and its possible molecular mechanism was discussed. The results showed that 1-MCP treatment delayed the yellowing of broccoli florets, inhibited the activities of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate acid (ACC) oxidase (ACO), and delayed the peaks in the ACC synthase (ACS) activity and ACC concentration. In addition, exogenous ethylene treatment did not accelerate yellowing in the florets pretreated with 1-MCP. The gene expression pattern of enzymes involved in ethylene biosynthesis and ethylene receptors in broccoli florets after harvest was investigated. 1-MCP treatment significantly decreased the expression of BO-ACS1, BO-ACS2, BO-ACO1, BO-ERS, BO-ETR1 and BO-ETR2. 1-MCP delayed the senescing process of broccoli by inhibiting the activities of enzymes involved in ethylene biosynthesis and gene expression of these enzymes and of ethylene receptors at the transcript level.

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Abbreviations

1-MCP:

1-Methylcyclopropene

ACC:

1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate acid

ACO:

ACC oxidase

ACS:

ACC synthase

CA:

Controlled atmosphere

MA:

Modified atmosphere

SAM:

S-adenosyl-l-methionine

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30370976), the Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars, State Education Ministry, the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China (No. Y2002D04), and the Natural Science Foundation of Qingdao, People’s Republic of China (No. 06-2-2-15-jch).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Horticulture, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, People’s Republic of China

    Gang Ma, Ran Wang, Cheng-Rong Wang & Fei-fei Qin

  2. The United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Gifu University (Shizuoka University), Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan

    Gang Ma

  3. Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan

    Masaya Kato & Kazuki Yamawaki

  4. International Nature Farming Research Center, Nagano, 390-1401, Japan

    Hui-Lian Xu

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  1. Gang Ma
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  2. Ran Wang
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Correspondence to Ran Wang.

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Ma, G., Wang, R., Wang, CR. et al. Effect of 1-methylcyclopropene on expression of genes for ethylene biosynthesis enzymes and ethylene receptors in post-harvest broccoli. Plant Growth Regul 57, 223–232 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-008-9339-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-008-9339-7

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