ABA Metabolism and Signaling in Fleshy Fruits - Abscisic Acid: Metabolism, Transport and Signaling - page 262

Chapter 14
ABA Metabolism and Signaling
in Fleshy Fruits

Yuan-Yue Shen and Jocelyn K.C. Rose

Abstract Fleshy fruits represent an important component of the human diet in
many parts of the world and often provide valuable sources of vitamins and anti-
oxidant compounds. Much of their nutritional value results from complex bio-
chemical processes that occur during ripening, including changes in color, texture,
flavor and aroma. The regulation of fruit development and subsequent ripening is
controlled by several phytohormones, of which perhaps the most characterized has
been the gaseous hormone ethylene, which triggers the ripening program in cli-
macteric fruits. However, recent studies have reinforced the importance of absci-
sic acid (ABA) biosynthesis, catabolism, and signaling in both the development
and ripening of fleshy fruits. Here, we provide an overview of these advances and
summarize the insights that they have provided into the molecular mechanisms for
ABA from production to action, with particular emphasis on strawberry fruit.

Keywords ABA metabolism · ABA signaling · Fleshy fruit

14.1 Introduction

Ripened fleshy fruits play important roles in our food supply, nutrition, and health.
Fleshy fruits are generally divided into climacteric and non-climacteric types on the
basis on variations in respiration intensity and ethylene production during ripening.
Many of the complex biochemical, molecular and physiological processes that occur