A Regulatory Network of Arabinogalactan Proteins, Glycosylation, and Nucleotide Sugars for Optimizing Mara des Bois Strawberries Postharvest Storage Quality
2025
María Isabel Escribano | Irene Romero | María Teresa Sanchez-Ballesta | Carmen Merodio
Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) and extensins influence cell wall assembly and regulate plant cell mechanical properties through interactions with extracellular matrix polymers. These proteins may play a key role in the biochemical events underlying postharvest treatments aimed at controlling fruit texture and turgor loss associated with senescence-related disorders. We studied the temporal and spatial accumulation patterns of extensin and AGP isoforms constitutively expressed along with the profiling of nucleotide sugars UDP-galactose, UDP-arabinose, UDP-glucuronic acid, and UDP-rhamnose in Mara des Bois strawberries under different storage conditions. We also assessed the expression timing of AGP-encoding genes (FvAFP4, FvAGP5) and genes involved in key steps of post-translational glycosylation (FvP4H1, FvGAT20, FvGAT7). Whereas extensins are down-regulated, AGPs are transcriptionally regulated by cold and cold-high CO2 and post-translationally modulated after transfer to 20 °:C. Based on their subcellular localization, molecular properties, isoform-specific glycosylation, UDP-sugar availability, and timing-regulated expression, AGPs are likely involved in cell wall assembly and modulation of mechanical properties. Consequently, they may influence fruit texture and enhanced softening resistance, potentially counteracting senescence-associated disorders through CO2-responsive signaling mechanisms. Conversely, the decrease in both UDP-galactose levels and AGPs gene expression in non-cold-stored senescent strawberries at 20 °:C further supports their relevance in AGPs biosynthesis regulation and underscores their potential as markers for improving postharvest storage strategies.
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