Figure 4.

PSY mRNA expression, protein levels, and enzymatic activity analyses in CEZ and low-β fruits. A and B, Digital expression of PSY-1 (A) and PSY-2 (B) in CEZ and low-β developing fruits. Average RPKM values ± se of three biological repeats are shown. C, Western blot showing PSY protein levels at 20 and 30 DAA and in the mature fruit of CEZ and low-β; proteins were extracted from pools of three fruits. D, Representative HPLC results at 290 nm. Carotenoids were extracted from 30-DAA fruit flesh discs of CEZ (a and b) and low-β (c and d) treated with NF (a and c) or with water (b and d) for 12 h in the dark. E, Phytoene accumulated in 30-DAA fruit discs upon NF treatment. Phytoene is expressed in µg g⁻¹ fresh weight (FW) of treated fruit flesh at 12 and 24 h of treatment. Values are means ± sd of three biological repeats.