木质化是采后菜心衰老的重要现象之一，POD是木质素合成途径的关键基因。项目组前期研究表明，外源乙烯同时上调了菜心木质素合成关键酶POD和ERF转录因子的基因表达，提高了木质素含量，进一步分析发现POD启动子区存在ERF转录因子的结合位点，预测乙烯调控菜心木质素的合成，可能是通过乙烯响应因子ERF调控POD表达得以实现，但作用机制有待验证。因此，本项目拟研究ERF转录因子对菜心木质素关键基因POD的调控机制。首先研究POD在木质素合成中的功能作用；通过ERF干涉、超表达及GUS转录激活手段，研究外源乙烯和ERF转录因子对POD基因的调控作用；研究ERF转录因子的亚细胞定位并通过酵母单杂、ChIP和EMSA等体内、体外实验，明确ERF转录因子与POD启动子的结合机制。研究结果可望阐明乙烯在菜心木质化进程中调控机制。研究成果将丰富果蔬木质素合成的理论体系，也为采后果蔬木质化控制技术提供理论依据。

The lignification is an important senescing phenomenon of post-harvest Tsai Tai, and POD is one of a key enzyme in the pathway of lignin synthesis. Our preliminary research results show that expression of POD genes in lignin synthesis pathway and ERF gene in Tsai Tai were regulated by ethylene signaling, accompanied with the increased lignin content. Further analysis revealed that POD gene promoter has binding sites for transcription factors ERF, Obviously POD gene expression may regulated by ERF, and the regulatory mechanism need to be verified. Therefore, the regulation mechanism of key gene POD in lignin synthesis pathway by ERF was studied in the project. First, the functional role of POD in lignin synthesis process was researched. By the means of GUS transcription activation, Yeast one-hybrid, ChIP and EMSA assay, the experimental result would showed that the ERF transcription factor could bind to promoter region of PODs in vivo and in vitro. The research results are expected to clarify the regulation mechanism of ethylene in the lignification process of Tsai Tai. Research results of the project will enrich the theoretical system of lignin synthesis, and also provide a new theoretical basis for the control technology of postharvest fruits and vegetables lignification.