title: Characterization of Starch Degradation Related Genes in Postharvest Kiwifruit.
abstract: Starch is one of the most important storage carbohydrates in plants. Kiwifruit typically accumulate large amounts of starch during development. The fruit retain starch until commercial maturity, and its postharvest degradation is essential for consumer acceptance. The activity of genes related to starch degradation has, however, rarely been investigated. Based on the kiwifruit genome sequence and previously reported starch degradation-related genes, 17 novel genes were isolated and the relationship between their expression and starch degradation was examined using two sets of materials: ethylene-treated (100 µL/L, 20 °C; ETH) vs. control (20 °C; CK) and controlled atmosphere stored (CA, 5% CO₂ + 2% O₂, 0 °C) vs. normal atmosphere in cold storage (NA, 0 °C). Physiological analysis indicated that ETH accelerated starch degradation and increased soluble solids content (SSC) and soluble sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose), while CA inhibited starch reduction compared with NA. Using these materials, expression patterns of 24 genes that may contribute to starch degradation (seven previously reported and 17 newly isolated) were analyzed. Among the 24 genes,AdAMY1,AdAGL3andAdBAM3.1/3L/9were significantly induced by ETH and positively correlated with starch degradation. Furthermore, these five genes were also inhibited by CA, conforming the likely involvement of these genes in starch degradation. Thus, the present study has identified the genes with potential for involvement in starch degradation in postharvest kiwifruit, which will be useful for understanding the regulation of kiwifruit starch content and metabolism.
authors.affiliation: Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China. huxiongzju@163.com.|The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China. huxiongzju@163.com.
authors.forename: Xiong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China. 21416046@zju.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kuang
authors.affiliation: Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China. aidi2012@126.com.
authors.forename: Ai-Di
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Ningbo Fullharvest Agriculture Technology Co., Ltd., Ningbo 315202, China. zjuzws@zju.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Wang-Shu
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Fenghua Peach Research Institute, Ningbo 315502, China. mjchen04@163.com.
authors.forename: Miao-Jin
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China. xuerenyin@zju.edu.cn.|The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China. xuerenyin@zju.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Xue-Ren
authors.initials: XR
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.affiliation: Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China. akun@zju.edu.cn.|The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China. akun@zju.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Kun-Song
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D029042:Actinidia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development*; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D005030:Ethylenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D005638:Fruit / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development*; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000187:drug effects; D017343:Genes, Plant; D010802:Phylogeny; D011309:Preservation, Biological; D013213:Starch / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D005030:Ethylenes; D013213:Starch; C036216:ethylene
keywords: amylase; kiwifruit; postharvest ripening; starch degradation