Insights into the Genes Involved in ABA Biosynthesis and Perception during Development and Ripening of the Chilean Strawberry Fruit.

Hormones act as master ripening regulators. In non-climacteric fruit, ABA plays a key role in ripening. Recently, we confirmed in fruit that in response to ABA treatment the fruit induces ripening-associated changes such as softening and color development. In consequence of these phenotypic changes, transcriptional variations associated with cell wall disassembly and anthocyanins biosynthesis were reported. As ABA stimulates the ripening of fruit, the molecular network involved in ABA metabolism was analyzed. Therefore, the expression level of genes involved in ABA biosynthesis and ABA perception was quantified during the development of the fruit. Four / and six / family members were identified in . Bioinformatics analyses confirmed the existence of key domains related to functional properties. Through RT-qPCR analyses, the level of transcripts was quantified. codifies a protein that displays crucial functional domains, and the level of transcripts increases as the fruit develops and ripens, in parallel with the increment in ABA. In addition, codifies for a functional ABA receptor, and its expression follows an incremental pattern during ripening. The study concludes that is involved in ABA biosynthesis; meanwhile, participates in ABA perception during the ripening of fruit.