Genome-wide identification of CXE and PuCXE15 functions in the catabolism of volatile ester in 'Nanguo' pear fruit

Liyong Qi; Xiaojing Li; Nannan Zang; Zhuoran Zhang; Yueming Yang; Yuqi Du; Jianan Sun; Islam Mostafa; Zepeng Yin; Aide Wang

doi:10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.107996

Genome-wide identification of CXE and PuCXE15 functions in the catabolism of volatile ester in 'Nanguo' pear fruit

Plant Physiol Biochem. 2023 Oct:203:107996. doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.107996. Epub 2023 Sep 1.

Authors

Liyong Qi¹, Xiaojing Li¹, Nannan Zang¹, Zhuoran Zhang¹, Yueming Yang¹, Yuqi Du¹, Jianan Sun¹, Islam Mostafa², Zepeng Yin³, Aide Wang⁴

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Fruit Postharvest Biology, Shenyang, 110866, China; Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Northern Horticultural Facilities Design & Application Technology, Shenyang, 110866, China; College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China.
² Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt.
³ Key Laboratory of Fruit Postharvest Biology, Shenyang, 110866, China; Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Northern Horticultural Facilities Design & Application Technology, Shenyang, 110866, China; College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China. Electronic address: yinzp@syau.edu.cn.
⁴ Key Laboratory of Fruit Postharvest Biology, Shenyang, 110866, China; Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Northern Horticultural Facilities Design & Application Technology, Shenyang, 110866, China; College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China. Electronic address: awang@syau.edu.cn.

PMID: 37688900
DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.107996

Abstract

Volatile esters are the main aromatic components that affect consumer sensory preferences. Aroma is a crucial characteristic of the 'Nanguo' pear (Pyrus ussriensis Maxim). Carboxylesterases (CXEs) are positively correlated with the catabolism of volatile esters in peaches; however, the mechanism of action of CXE family members in 'Nanguo' pear is poorly understood. In this study, 40 PuCXEs were identified in the 'Nanguo' pear and assigned into seven groups. In addition, we found that most PuCXEs were relatively conserved and contained cytoplasmic proteins. This hypothesis was supported by phylogenetic analysis, investigation of conserved domains and gene structures, and prediction of subcellular localization. Based on the content of volatile esters and expression levels of PuCXEs analysis, four PuCXEs, including PuCXE7, PuCXE15, PuCXE20, and PuCXE25, had a significant negative correlation with volatile ester accumulation. Particularly, the correlation of PuCXE15 far exceeded that of the other PuCXEs. The results of the transient expression assay showed that PuCXE15 promoted the degradation of ester in vivo. Subcellular localization experiment revealed that PuCXE15 is located in the plasma membrane and nucleus. These results show that PuCXE15 functions in the catabolism of volatile ester in 'Nanguo' pear fruit, and provides a foundation for enhancing aroma quality by artificial control in pear.

Keywords: Bioinformatics; Carboxylesterase (CXE); Fruit ripening; Volatile esters; ‘Nanguo’ pear.