Expression Level of a Transcription Factor Gene Mdhd-Zip Up-regulated during Apple Fruit Senescence

[Objective] This study aimed to explore the role of one apple transcription factor of homeodomain-leucine zipper(MdHD-Zip) during apple fruit senescence.[Method] Postharvest Red Fuji fruits(Malus domestica Borkh ‘Red Fuji’) were stored at room temperature(18 ℃-20 ℃) and cold condition(0 ± 1 ℃) separately.Fruit firmness and ethylene production during storage process were analyzed.Transcript level of Md HD-Zip was detected by real-time quantitative PCR during apple fruit storage under room temperature and cold condition.[Result] Expression level of Md HD-Zip was found up-regulated in later stage of apple fruit senescence at room temperature,while it showed a peak level after one month of cold storage.[Conclusion] The results of the present study suggest that Md HD-Zip may play a role in regulating apple fruit senescence.