The Role of Protein Post-Translational Modifications in Fruit Ripening

Fruit ripening represents a multifaceted biological process intricately controlled by an array of plant hormones, transcription factors, and epigenetic modifications. These regulatory mechanisms are crucial in determining fruit quality and post-harvest shelf life. Recent advancements in proteomics have shifted the focus toward understanding protein post-translational modifications (PTMs), which play a crucial role in modulating protein function. PTMs enhance protein activity and stability by altering their properties after biosynthesis, thereby adding an additional layer of regulation to the ripening process. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the roles of PTMs, including ubiquitination, phosphorylation, redox modifications, and glycosylation in regulating fruit ripening. Emphasis is placed on the intricate interplay between these PTMs and key regulator factors such as plant hormones, transcriptional mechanisms, and epigenetic modifications. By exploring these interactions, this review seeks to enhance our understanding of the complex regulatory network underlying fruit ripening and to offer novel perspectives on strategies for fruit preservation.