bZIP transcription factor PubZIP914 enhances production of fatty acid-derived volatiles in pear

'Nanguo' pear emitted a rich aroma when entirely ripe. The six-carbon (C6) volatiles, including the aldehydes, 2hexenal, and hexanal, as well as their corresponding alcohols and esters which are derived from lipoxygenase pathway are the important volatile components in 'Nanguo' pears. However, the transcriptional regulation mechanism of aroma synthesis of 'Nanguo' pears remains largely unknown. bZIP transcription factors (TFs) mediate different developmental processes in plants. In this study, we identified and characterized a bZIP TF that is highly expressed and induced in 'Nanguo' pear fruits at the mature stage. The content of fatty acid-derived volatiles increased significantly in transgenic pears and tomatoes of PubZIP914 overexpression. Meanwhile, PubZIP914 could regulate PuLOX3.1 by binding directly to PuLOX3.1 promoter. The results of this study provide evidence demonstrating how bZIP transcription factors regulate fatty acid-derived volatiles biosynthesis during pear fruit ripening.

Automated summary

'Nanguo' pears emit a rich aroma when fully ripe, and the important volatile components are the six-carbon compounds derived from the lipoxygenase pathway. This study identified a highly expressed bZIP transcription factor that is induced during the mature stage of 'Nanguo' pears, and demonstrated its regulatory role in fatty acid-derived volatile biosynthesis.