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The possible role of BAX and BI-1 genes in chilling-induced cell death in cucumber fruit

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible role of BAX and BI-1 genes in chilling injury of cucumber fruit. BAX and BI-1 gene expressions were assayed under 2 ± 1 °C. Meanwhile, cell death, cellular integrity, specific chromatin fragmentation and nucleus morphology in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Zhexiu-1) fruits were determined. Results indicated that BAX and BI-1 genes were activated by low temperature and the expression level of the BAX was much higher than BI-1. At the same time, electrolyte leakage and cell death were increased coupled with nuclear envelope disassembly and DNA fragmentation during the occurrence of chilling injury. In addition, characteristic features of programmed cell death were induced as well as the initiation of chilling injury. The interaction of BAX and BI-1 might predetermine the cell life or death in response to cold stimulus.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (973 Program) (2013CB127101), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31172006) and Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China (20110101110139).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural Economics and Management, Zhejiang Agricultural Business College, Shaoxing, 312000, Peoples’ Republic of China

    Yuying Zhao

  2. Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Agro-Food Processing, Fuli Institute of Food Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Peoples’ Republic of China

    Yuying Zhao, Jingxin Chen, Xiaoya Tao & Linchun Mao

  3. Wenzhou College of Technology and Profession (Wenzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences), Wenzhou, 325006, Peoples’ Republic of China

    Xiaojie Zheng

Authors
  1. Yuying Zhao
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  2. Jingxin Chen
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  3. Xiaoya Tao
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  4. Xiaojie Zheng
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  5. Linchun Mao
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Xiaojie Zheng or Linchun Mao.

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Communicated by P. K. Nagar.

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Zhao, Y., Chen, J., Tao, X. et al. The possible role of BAX and BI-1 genes in chilling-induced cell death in cucumber fruit. Acta Physiol Plant 36, 1345–1351 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-014-1513-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-014-1513-0

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