Análisis transcriptómico del proceso de abscisión del fruto maduro en Cucumis melo L

Abstract

The knowledge of mechanisms involved in fruit abscission is essential for developing strategies to control and improve the yield or undesired loss of fruit. Nevertheless, the advances in the molecular analyses of fleshy-fruit abscission have been limited by the lack of suitable experimental genetic material and by the small amount of cells in the abscission zone available in the model species for such analyses. In particular, mature-fruit abscission is a programmed physiological process that is genetically programmed and controlled by mechanisms which, as opposed to immature fruit abscission, have not been characterized completely in any species bearing fleshy fruits. The present work has included anatomical studies of the abscission zone and a tanscriptomic analysis of the AZ was made using 454 pyrosequencing in melon, which has enabled the identification of potential agents and pathways associated with the induction of this process, constituting the detailed analysis of the transcriptional activity of the process of abscission in melon. The joint use of physiological and molecular characterization has led to the proposal of a model for the control of the abscission process, which could prove useful in improving melon yield.