rin and slein2-1 fruits show comparable ripening features. A, Different stages of fruit ripening of WT, Nr, rin, and slein2-1. Fruits of rin and slein2-1 show complete ripening cessation. The first signs of carotenoid accumulation on the external surface of the fruit were taken to define the breaker stage. B, Ethylene production of WT, Nr, rin, and slein2-1 fruits at different ripening stages. Error bars indicate sd (n = 12). **P < 0.01, Student’s t test; n.s., not significantly different. C, Carotenoid levels in WT, Nr, rin, and slein2-1 fruits at the Br+10 stage. Error bars indicate sd (n = 3), **P < 0.01, Student’s t test. n.d., not detectable. D–G, Relative mRNA levels of tomato SlACS2 (D), SlACS4 (E), PSY (F), and Pl (G) in WT, Nr, rin, and slein2-1 fruits at different ripening stages. Error bars indicate sd (n = 3), **P < 0.01, Student’s t test. Br + 0, color breaker stage; Br + 3, 3-day postcolor breaker stage; Br + 7, 7-day postcolor breaker stage; Br + 10, 10-day postcolor breaker stage.