Interactions of melatonin, reactive oxygen species, and nitric oxide during fruit ripening: an update and prospective view. (24th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Corpas, Francisco J; Rodríguez-Ruiz, Marta; Muñoz-Vargas, María A; González-Gordo, Salvador; Reiter, Russel J; Palma, José M
• Editors: Arnao, Marino
• Is Part Of: Journal of experimental botany. Volume 73:Number 17(2022)
• Page Start: 5947
• Page End: 5960
• Publication Date: 2022-03-24
• Subjects: Hydrogen peroxide -- nitric oxide -- nitrosomelatonin -- melatonin -- postharvest -- ripening; Botany -- Periodicals; Botany, Experimental -- Periodicals; Plant physiology -- Periodicals; 580
• DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac128
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-0957

Abstract

Abstract : Melatonin is an antioxidant with signaling properties that is especially relevant to fruit ripening. Melatonin crosstalk with NO and H2 O2 broadens the regulatory networks of these molecules. Abstract: Fruit ripening is a physiological process that involves a complex network of signaling molecules that act as switches to activate or deactivate certain metabolic pathways at different levels, not only by regulating gene and protein expression but also through post-translational modifications of the involved proteins. Ethylene is the distinctive molecule that regulates the ripening of fruits, which can be classified as climacteric or non-climacteric according to whether or not, respectively, they are dependent on this phytohormone. However, in recent years it has been found that other molecules with signaling potential also exert regulatory roles, not only individually but also as a result of interactions among them. These observations imply the existence of mutual and hierarchical regulations that sometimes make it difficult to identify the initial triggering event. Among these 'new' molecules, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, and melatonin have been highlighted as prominent. This review provides a comprehensive outline of the relevance of these molecules in the fruit ripening process and the complex network of the known interactions among them.