Reduced 5'-Methylthioadenosine Nucleosidase and 5-Methylthioribose Activities and Ethylene Biosynthesis in Nonripening Tomato Mutants `Rin' and `Nor' Relative to Ripening Tomato `Rutgers'

Abstract

5'-methylthioadenosine (MTA) nucleosidase (EC.2.2.2.28) and 5-methylthioribose (MTR) kinase (EC.2.7.1.100) activities were evaluated in `rin', `nor', and `Rutgers' tomato fruit during development and ripening. Changes in the activities of these enzymes were compared to ethylene biosynthesis. MTA nucleosidase and MTR kinase activities in `rin' and `nor' were ≈30% and 22%, respectively, lower than `Rutgers' during the first 2 weeks of fruit development. In `Rutgers', activities of these enzymes declined sharply until fruit maturity. Shortly before climacteric rise in ethylene synthesis, MTA nucleosidase, and MTR kinase activities increased, reaching a maximum level before peak ethylene synthesis then declined when fruit started to approach senescence. Whereas, `rin' and `nor' mutants exhibited no climacteric rise in ethylene synthesis and no change in MTA nucleosidase or MTR kinase activities, following their decline after 2 weeks of growth. A rapid increase in ethylene synthesis was observed when mature green `rin' and `nor' fruit were wounded. This increase in ethylene was paralleled by an increase in MTA nucleosidase and MTR kinase activities. However, increase in wound ethylene, MTA nucleosidase, and MTR kinase activities in `rin' and `nor' was ≈40% less than what we had previously reported in `Rutgers'. Relationship of MTA and MTR kinase activities to fruit growth, development, ripening, and natural and wound ethylene biosynthesis will be described.