Article
Unraveling the key step in the aroma puzzle: Insights into alcohol acyltransferases in strawberries
Registro en:
10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108668
09819428
Autor
Saez, Darwin
Rodríguez-Arriaza, Francisca
Urra, Gabriela
Fabi, João Paulo
Hormazábal-Abarza, Francisca
Méndez-Yáñez, Angela
Castro, Egle
Bustos, Daniel
Ramos, Patricio
Morales-Quintana, Luis
Institución
Resumen
Alcohol acyltransferases (AATs) play a crucial role in catalyzing the transfer of acyl groups, contributing to the diverse aroma of fruits, including strawberries. In this research we identified nine AAT genes in strawberries through a comprehensive analysis involving phylogenetics, gene structure, conserved motifs, and structural protein model examinations. The study used the ‘Camarosa’ strawberry genome database, and experiments were conducted with fruits harvested at different developmental and ripening stages. The transcriptional analysis revealed differential expression patterns among the AAT genes during fruit ripening, with only four genes (SAAT, FaAAT2, FaAAT7, and FaAAT9) showing increased transcript accumulation correlated with total AAT enzyme activity. Additionally, the study employed in silico methods, including sequence alignment, phylogenetic analysis, and structural modeling, to gain insights into the AAT protein model structures with increase expression pattern during fruit ripening. The four modeled AAT proteins exhibited structural similarities, including conserved catalytic sites and solvent channels. Furthermore, the research investigated the interaction of AAT proteins with different substrates, highlighting the enzymes' promiscuity in substrate preferences. The study contributes with valuable information to unveil AAT gene family members in strawberries, providing scientific background for further exploration of their biological characteristics and their role in aroma biosynthesis during fruit ripening. © 2024 Elsevier Masson SAS Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico, FONDECYT, (1220782, 3220284, 1211057, 11220444, FOVI230136, 21241441); Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico, FONDECYT; Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo, ANID, (190093); Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo, ANID