title: Multiscale investigation of mealiness in apple: an atypical role for a pectin methylesterase during fruit maturation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Apple fruit mealiness is one of the most important textural problems that results from an undesirable ripening process during storage. This phenotype is characterized by textural deterioration described as soft, grainy and dry fruit. Despite several studies, little is known about mealiness development and the associated molecular events. In this study, we integrated phenotypic, microscopic, transcriptomic and biochemical analyses to gain insights into the molecular basis of mealiness development.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Instrumental texture characterization allowed the refinement of the definition of apple mealiness. In parallel, a new and simple quantitative test to assess this phenotype was developed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data support the role of PME in cell wall remodelling during apple fruit development and ripening and suggest a local action of these enzymes. Mealiness may partially result from qualitative and spatial variations of pectin microarchitecture rather than quantitative pectin differences, and these changes may occur early in fruit development. The specific MdPME2 gene highlighted in this study could be a good early marker of texture unfavourable trait in apple.
authors.forename: Sandrine Mikol
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Segonne
authors.forename: Maryline
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bruneau
authors.forename: Jean-Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Celton
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Le Gall
authors.forename: Mathilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Francin-Allami
authors.forename: Marjorie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Juchaux
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Laurens
authors.forename: Mathilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Orsel
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Renou
mesh_terms: D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005638:Fruit / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D027845:Malus / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases; C022323:pectinesterase