Abstract
Auxin response factors (ARFs) are important transcription factors to relay auxin signaling. From the Genome Database for Rosaceae (GDR), we identified 17 peach ARF genes (PpARFs) encoding the proteins with three conserved domains. Their gene structure and functional domains were analyzed. Their transcriptional response to exogenous auxin treatment was tested and confirmed. We also expressed PpARF-GFP fusion reporters in tobacco leaves and observed their nuclear localization by fluorescence microscopy. It has been known that ARFs are widely involved in fruit development. We compared the expression pattern of all PpARFs in different tissues including the fruits at different developmental stages of two peach cultivars, “melting” and “stony hard”. We found eight PpARFs were more highly expressed in the “melting” peaches compared to “stony hard” peaches, while three PpARFs were more highly expressed in “stony hard” peaches. Among them, the expression difference of PpARF4, PpARF7 and PpARF12 was large, and their function in regulating fruit development and fruit quality was discussed. Our work provides a basis for further exploring the mechanisms underlying auxin regulated peach fruit ripening.
Highlights
Auxin has long been recognized as a major regulator of various biological processes, including tropic growth, root architecture, phototropism, tissue and organ development [1,2,3], and fruit ripening [4,5,6]
Some previous work on SlARFs have indicated their regulatory roles in tomato fruit development
Identification of the members in Auxin response factors (ARFs) family that have roles in regulating fruit development is important for other fruit crops or trees
Summary
Auxin has long been recognized as a major regulator of various biological processes, including tropic growth, root architecture, phototropism, tissue and organ development [1,2,3], and fruit ripening [4,5,6]. 21 ARFs have been identified [10], of these, SlARF3/5/6/13/16/17 are highly expressed in the green and red fruit, and SlARF1/2/4/7/8/11/14 are highly expressed during the fruit maturation period They function as either negative or positive regulators. It is shown that inhibiting the expression of SlARF8 leads to the development of larger tomato fruit, indicating a negative role of SlARF8 in fruit size control [24]. SlARF7 has been reported to be a negative regulator of early tomato fruit development [26]. Some studies have shown that SlARF2A and SlARF2B are involved in regulating fruit softening process by controlling ethylene synthesis. Given the central role of ARFs in auxin signal transduction, we hypothesize they may have a role in peach fruit softening regulation. Results from our research reveal the complexity of PpARF expression during the fruit ripening process
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