Figure 9.

Effect of the MdNAC72 phosphorylation state on apple fruit softening. A) Apple fruit transiently overexpressing various MdNAC72 variants (MdNAC72 or MdNAC72AA) or an empty vector (control) during storage. Transient overexpression in apple fruit was accomplished using Agrobacterium-mediated injection. Overexpressing fruits (MdNAC72-OE or MdNAC72AA-OE) were harvested 7 d after injection and stored at RT for 30 d. DAI, days after infiltration; DAS, days after storage. B) Immunoblot analysis of proteins from apple fruit transformed with empty vector, MdNAC72-FLAG, or MdNAC72AA-FLAG using an anti-FLAG antibody. The fruit tissues at the injection region were used for protein detection. Tubulin was used as the loading control. C) Relative MdNAC72 expression as detected by RT-qPCR in the fruits shown in (A). D) Firmness of injected apple fruit during storage. Three biological replicates were performed as described in Fig. 2D. E) Relative MdPG1 expression as determined by RT-qPCR. For RT-qPCR, 3 biological replicates were used, as described in Fig. 1. Values are means ± Se. Statistical significance was determined using Student's t-test (**P < 0.01). n.s., no significant difference.