Expression pattern of key vitamin C biosynthesis genes in apple.

Vitamin C (L-AA, ascorbic acid) has major functions in oxidative stress defense (e.g. ozone, pathogens, wounding, etc.) because of its antioxidant properties, and this leads to improved fruit quality, storage and increased resistance to postharvest storage diseases. It also protects humans from various important diseases. Fruit is the best food source of vitamin C, but while apple is the most highly consumed fruit (in 13 European countries), it has only modest amounts of vitamin C (Davey et al. 2000). So because of these important functional and nutritional characteristics it is important to understand the mechanisms of vitamin C biosynthesis and regulation to help develop breeding strategies for increased fruit vitamin C content. The present work considers the expression profiles of six key vitamin C biosynthesis genes in apple and their relation to vitamin C tissue contents to understand more about its synthesis and regulation. In the long term we aim to have improved fruit quality and more efficient storage and postharvest diseases management.