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Map position and functional allelic diversity of Md-Exp7, a new putative expansin gene associated with fruit softening in apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) and pear (Pyrus communis)

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Abstract

Fruit ripening can be considered as a complex set of biochemical and physiological changes occurring at the end of the developmental stage. Ripe fruit texture notably affects overall quality and consumer appreciation. Excessive softening limits shelf-life and storability, thereby increasing disease susceptibility and economic loss. Fruit softening is a process due to the depolymerisation of different polysaccharide classes, an event controlled by a synergic and coordinated action of several enzymes among which expansins play a fundamental role. To date, six expansin genes are known to be expressed during apple fruit ontogeny, from full bloom up to fruit ripening. We identified a novel expansin apple homolog (Md-Exp7) sharing high sequence similarity with specific-ripening expansin genes of other crops. A functional marker (Md-Exp7SSR) based on an SSR motif located within the untranslated region of the gene was developed and mapped on Linkage Group 1 of the apple and pear genomes in a region where one major apple QTL for fruit firmness had been previously identified. The allelic composition of 31 apple varieties for the SSR marker was associated with differences in fruit softening.

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Acknowledgements

This study has been carried out with financial support from the Commission of the European Communities, specific research program “Quality of Life and Management of Living Resource”, QLK5-2002-01492 “High quality Disease Resistant Apple for a Sustainable Agriculture”. This manuscript does not necessarily reflect the Commission’s views and in no way anticipates its future policy in this area. Its content is the sole responsibility of the publishers.

We acknowledge C. Maliepaard for making available fruit firmness data of the cross Prima × Fiesta. The author wishes to thank the anonymous reviewers for providing stimulating, thoughtful and constructive comments to this manuscript.

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  1. F. Costa

    Present address: Genetics and Molecular Biology, IASMA Research Center, Via E. Mach 1, 38010, San Michele all’Adige (TN), Italy

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Fruit Tree and Woody Plant Science, University of Bologna, Via Fanin 46, 40127, Bologna, Italy

    F. Costa, S. Stella, L. Dondini, D. Pratesi, S. Musacchi & S. Sansavini

  2. Department of Biodiversity and Breeding, Plant Research International, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    W. E. Van de Weg

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  1. F. Costa
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Correspondence to F. Costa.

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Communicated by P. Arús

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Costa, F., Van de Weg, W.E., Stella, S. et al. Map position and functional allelic diversity of Md-Exp7, a new putative expansin gene associated with fruit softening in apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) and pear (Pyrus communis). Tree Genetics & Genomes 4, 575–586 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11295-008-0133-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11295-008-0133-5

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