Ethylene promotes ABA biosynthesis by repressing the expression of miR161 in postharvest strawberry fruit

Both ethylene and abscisic acid (ABA) are identified to be crucial phytohormones that positively regulate strawberry fruit (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) ripening. In this work, the interplay between ethylene and ABA involved in the ripening of strawberry fruit was explored. Results suggested that ethylene promoted ABA biosynthesis via repressing miR161 expression. Meanwhile, miR161 silencing (STTM161) verified that miR161 negatively regulated ABA biosynthesis via suppressing FaNCED1 expression. In addition, dual-luciferase reporter demonstrated the suppression of miR161 on the promoter of FaNCED1. These results illuminated a potential molecular mechanism of the collaboration between ethylene and ABA in postharvest strawberry fruit through miR161.