DkNAC7, a novel high-CO2/hypoxia-induced NAC transcription factor, regulates persimmon fruit de-astringency

PLoS One. 2018 Mar 14;13(3):e0194326. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194326. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Artificial high-CO2 atmosphere (AHCA, 95% CO2 and 1% O2) has been widely applied as a postharvest de-astringency treatment for persimmon fruit. AHCA increases expression of transcription factors, including ethylene response factors (DkERF), that target de-astringency genes. Here, the promoter of DkERF9, a previously characterized AHCA-inducible and de-astringency regulator, was utilized to screen a cDNA library by yeast one hybrid assay. A novel NAC transcription factor, named DkNAC7, was identified. Dual-luciferase assay indicated that DkNAC7 could not only trans-activate the promoter of DkERF9, but also activated the previously identified deastringency-related gene DkPDC2. Real-time PCR analysis showed that DkNAC7 was up-regulated by AHCA treatment, in concert with the removal of astringency from persimmon fruit and subcellular localization showed DkNAC7 was located in the nucleus. Thus, these results indicate that DkNAC7 is a putative transcriptional activator involved in regulating persimmon fruit deastringency by trans-activition on both DkERF9 and DkPDC2, which encodes pyruvate decarboxylase.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Diospyros / classification
  • Diospyros / genetics*
  • Diospyros / metabolism
  • Fruit / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant*
  • Genetic Association Studies*
  • Phylogeny
  • Plant Proteins / genetics*
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Transport
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Plant Proteins
  • Transcription Factors

Grants and funding

This research was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program (2016YFD0400102 to KC), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31722042; 31672204 to XY), the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province, China (LR16C150001 to XY), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, and the 111 Project (B17039 to XY). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.