Molecular and structural characterization of expansins modulated by fungal endophytes in the Antarctic Colobanthus quitensis (Kunth) Bartl. Exposed to drought stress.

Expansins are proteins involved in cell wall metabolism that play an important role in plant growth, development, fruit ripening and abiotic stress tolerance. In the present study, we analyzed putative expansins that respond to drought stress. Five expansin genes were identified in cDNA libraries isolated from Colobanthus quitensis gown either with or without endophytic fungi under hydric stress.

Molecular Insights into FaEG1, a Strawberry Endoglucanase Enzyme Expressed during Strawberry Fruit Ripening.

The endo-β-1,4-glucanases (EGs) that belong to the glycosyl hydrolase family 9 (GH9) have roles in cell wall synthesis, remodeling and degradation. Previous studies have suggested that EGs may play a key role in the ripening of different fruits including strawberries. In this study, we used reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays to determine the transcript accumulation of an endo-β-1,4-glucanase (FaEG1) during fruit development in two different strawberry 'Camarosa' and 'Monterey' with contrasting softening ratios.