Isolation of a citrus ethylene-responsive element binding factor gene and its expression in response to abiotic stress, girdling and shading

Information about citrus ethylene-responsive element binding factor (ERF) genes and their functions in fruit ripening or in stress tolerance is still scarce. In the present study, one of ERF genes, CitERF was isolated from fruit of Citrus unshiu with a maximal putative open reading frame encoding 207 amino acids. The deduced protein contains a region rich in acidic amino acids, an AP2/ERF domain and a KRRK nuclear localization signal. It belongs to group B of Class I in the ERF subfamily in which MdERF2 (Malus × domestica ethylene-response factor 2) and PsERF1b (Prunus salicina ethylene-response factor 1b) were involved in the progress of fruit ripening. CitERF mRNA level in fruit peel and pulp increased obviously along with fruit ripening. However, its expression could be reduced significantly by treatments of total shading and fruit-bear-shoot girdling plus defoliation during fruit ripening. As for the response to abiotic stresses, CitERF expression was found to be induced continuously during the treatment of 10% polyethylene glycol. On the other hand, it could be induced to high level at 1 h after the treatment of 4 °C or 250 mM NaCl and then declined continuously. Taken together, the results suggested that CitERF may play an important role in some biological processes during fruit ripening and in improving tolerance to drought, low temperature and salt stress.

Research highlights▶ CitERF belongs to group B of Class I in the ERF subfamily. ▶ CitERF mRNA level in fruit peel and pulp increased along with fruit ripening. ▶ Treatments of total shading and FGD could reduce CitERF expression level. ▶ CitERF expression could be induced continuously by 10% PEG treatment.