Transcriptome analysis and postharvest behavior of the kiwifruit ‘Actinidia deliciosa’ reveal the role of ethylene-related phytohormones during fruit ripening

Kiwifruit are climacteric fruit, so they must be harvested before fully ripe, allowing for the extension of their shelf-life via cold storage. Therefore, an adequate knowledge about how ethylene-induced fruit senescence is required to avoid significant economic losses. The main goal present study was investigate kiwifruit ripening process at physiological and molecular levels by RNA-seq after 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP, ethylene inhibitor) Ethrel® (ethylene stimulator) treatments. results showed that (ethephon) treatment induced more accelerated ripening, leading rapid senescence, meanwhile 1-MCP caused a slowing flesh softening, thus longer period. carried out on 4 13 days, considering day as most determinant in terms differentially expressed genes (DEGs). sequencing achieved 70.7% alignment with ‘Hongyang’ genome, obtaining 18,036 DEGs. protein-protein interaction (PPI) network shows between different pathways two clusters: (1) pentose glucoronate interconversions, citrate cycle, glycolysis gluconeogenesis or starch, sucrose metabolism (2) porphyrin chlorophyll metabolism. first cluster mainly interconnected G6PD1 (pentose pathway); E1 ALPHA ACLB-2 (citrate cycle); Achn209711 glucoronate); LOS2 (glycolysis); HKL1 HXK1 (glycolysis—starch sucrose); PHS2 (starch sucrose). In second cluster, GUN5 through PORA interacting CRD1 NYC1 which were overexpressed addition, linked PSBY PSBP photosynthesis-linked proteins photosystem 2 undoubtedly related degradation senescence. These suggest kiwifruit, regulated comprise sugar catabolism degradation.