Molecular and Biochemical Regulation of Fruit Ripening, Senescence, and Bioactive Compound Accumulation

Fruit ripening and senescence are tightly coordinated at the molecular level by transcription factors, hormone signaling cascades, epigenetic modifications, and cell-wall remodeling enzymes. Despite progress in characterizing individual regulators, an integrated picture of how these networks govern fruit quality traits — texture, flavor, color, and bioactive compound accumulation — is still emerging.This Research Topic invites mechanistic studies that advance understanding of the genetic, transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and biochemical control of fruit development and senescence. We particularly welcome multi-omics, functional genomics, and gene-editing studies that connect molecular regulators to phenotypic outcomes in fruit crops.To gather further insights into the molecular regulation of fruit ripening and senescence in horticultural crops, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of ripening• Hormone signaling networks (ethylene, ABA, jasmonates, auxins) in fruit maturation and senescence• Cell-wall metabolism and the molecular basis of fruit softening• Biosynthesis and regulation of bioactive compounds (phenolics, carotenoids, anthocyanins, vitamins)• Multi-omics integration of fruit ripening trajectories• Functional characterization of ripening-related genes via CRISPR, VIGS, or transgenic approaches• Molecular markers of senescence and quality deterioration Topic editors: Guillermo Berumen-Varela, Arturo Duarte-Sierra, María De Lourdes Garcia-Magaña Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81377/molecular-and-biochemical-regulation-of-fruit-ripening-senescence-and-bioactive-compound-accumulation