Jasmonate resistant 1 and ethylene responsive factor 11 are involved in chilling sensitivity in pepper fruit (Capsicum annuum L.)

Jeong Gu Lee,Eun Jin Lee,Byoung-Cheorl Kang,Jeong Hee Choi,Jieun Seo

doi:10.1038/s41598-022-07268-3

Jeong Gu Lee, Eun Jin Lee + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-07268-3

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Abstract

Pepper fruit (Capsicum annuum L.) is sensitive to chilling stress with chilling injuries occurring below 7 °C; however, chilling injuries occur at different temperatures depending on the genotype. The present study aimed to identify the factors that affect chilling sensitivity in pepper fruits. A total of 112 F2 pepper fruits crossed between chilling-insensitive 'UZB-GJG-1999–51' and chilling-sensitive 'C00562' pepper were grouped according to the seed browning rate, which is a typical chilling symptom of pepper fruit under chilling conditions. Physiological traits, amino acids, fatty acids, as well as ethylene responsive factor (ERF) and jasmonate resistant 1 (JAR1) expression levels were analyzed, and their correlations with the seed browning rate were confirmed. The expression level of JAR1 showed a strong negative correlation with the seed browning rate (r = − 0.7996). The expression level of ERF11 and content of hydrogen peroxide showed strong positive correlation with the seed browning rate (r = 0.7622 and 0.6607, respectively). From these results, we inferred that JAR1 and ERF11 are important factors influencing the chilling sensitivity of pepper fruit.

Highlights

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a subtropical vegetable that is sensitive to chilling stress
We investigated the factors that influence chilling sensitivity and seed browning in various genotypes of pepper fruit by confirming the correlations between the aforementioned candidate genes, reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, fatty acids, amino acids, and seed browning rate in pepper fruit
We inferred that the seed browning rate and chilling sensitivity of pepper are affected by genetic factors

Summary

Introduction

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a subtropical vegetable that is sensitive to chilling stress. The generated ROS, in turn, react with the cell membrane to promote cell membrane peroxidation To suppress these cycles, jasmonic acid (JA) signaling is activated, regulating the concentration of metabolites, such as amino acids and sugars, or inhibiting ROS production through the regulation of genes involved in ROS scavenging. The DREB subfamily is known to be involved in chilling stress response in Arabidopsis[17,18]. When the chilling-insensitive ’UZB-GJG-1999–51’ and chilling-sensitive ’C00562’ peppers were exposed to chilling treatment at 2 °C for 24 h, the expression levels of CaJAR1, CaERF 1, 3, 5, and 10 increased in both the genotypes. The expression levels of CaJAR1, CaERF 1, 3, 5, and 10 were higher in chilling-insensitive ’UZB-GJG-1999–51’ pepper, and those of CaERF11 and CaDREB3 were higher in chilling-sensitive ’C00562’ pepper. In the chilling stress response, each of the former genes was expected to be a positive regulator, and the latter genes were expected to be candidate negative regulator genes

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