The signalling pathways and regulatory mechanism of jasmonates in fruit ripening

Abstract

Jasmonates, which include jasmonic acid (JA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA), are compounds derived from linolenic acid. In recent years, the quality and phytochemical content of various fruits have been improved using plant growth regulators both before and after harvest. They play a significant role in improving the quality and biochemical composition of different fruit crops, including fruit peel colour, accumulation of anthocyanins, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activities in the fruit. Further, the fruit ripening process is also accelerated by the application of jasmonate as it influences different physiological and molecular mechanisms of the plant system including regulation of the activities of different hormones during the entire period of fruit growth and development starting from fruit set to till ripening, activation of genes related to ripening, etc. In the case of apples, pre-harvest application of MeJA leads to enhanced fruit coloration by stimulating the anthocyanin biosynthesis gene MdUFGluT. The concentration of JA increases significantly during the early fruit development stage but then decreases sharply, reaching its lowest level when the fruits are fully ripe which signifies its role in initiating the fruit ripening process. Jasmonates can also induce the expression of genes related to ethylene synthesis and promote the production of ethylene gas. Application of jasmonates at the pre-climacteric stage increased the expression of 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase 1 (ACS 1) and 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylic Acid Oxidase1 (ACO 1) genes. However, the accumulation of ACS1 mRNA decreased when Propyl Dihydro Jasmonate was applied at the climacteric stage, indicating that jasmonates influence system 2 ethylene synthesis pathway. In addition, these two compounds (MeJA and JA) are safe for human consumption; hence, can be applied at the commercial level to improve the fruit quality and ripening process in different fruit crops. This review provides an overview of the recent advancements in our understanding of the regulation of jasmonate biosynthesis, and the physiological and molecular mechanisms involved in the jasmonate-mediated fruit ripening process.