The MaEIL4-MaMADS36-MaACS7 module transcriptionally regulates ethylene biosynthesis during banana fruit ripening

Abstract The present research examined the regulatory function of MaEIL4 in the ripening process of banana. The findings demonstrated that MaEIL4 is a transcription factor with activity in the nucleus. The transient modulation of MaEIL4 expression in banana fruit slices has been found to exert a significant impact on maturation, either enhancing or inhibiting its progression, as shown by phenotype and endogenous gene expression. MaEIL4, MaMADS36, and MaACS7 were co-expressed in bananas. MaEIL4 interacted with both the MaMADS36 protein and the TGAA box of the MaMADS36 promoter to activate its expression. Moreover, MaMADS36 bound to the C(A/T)rG box of the MaACS7 promoter to regulate fruit ripening. The results have characterized the mechanism of MaMADS36’s response to upstream ethylene signals and established a new module, MaEIL4-MaMADS36-MaACS7, that transcriptionally regulates banana fruit ripening. This research has enhanced our comprehension of the pivotal function of MaMADS36 in controlling fruit maturation and thus suggests new strategies for fruit shelf-life improvement and post-harvest loss reduction.