Darwin Rodrigo Saez

Mr. Darwin Rodrigo Saez


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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AMAngela Méndez-Yáñez
Angela Méndez-Yáñez
DSDarwin Rodrigo Saez
Darwin Rodrigo Saez
FAFrancisca Rodrïguez Arriaza
Francisca Rodrïguez Arriaza
CLClaudio José Letelier-Naritelli
Claudio José Letelier-Naritelli
FVFelipe Valenzuela-Riffo
Felipe Valenzuela-Riffo
Luis Morales-QuintanaLuis Morales-Quintana
Luis Morales-Quintana
Exoglycosidase enzymes hydrolyze the N-glycosylations of cell wall enzymes, releasing N-glycans that act as signal molecules and promote fruit ripening. Vesicular exoglycosidase α-mannosidase enzymes of the GH38 family (EC 3.2.1.24; α-man) hydrolyze N-glycans in non-reduced termini. Strawberry fruit (Fragaria × ananassa) is characterized by rapid softening as a result of cell wall modifications during the fruit ripening process. Enzymes acting on cell wall polysaccharides explain the changes in fruit firmness, but α-man has not yet been described in F. × ananassa, meaning that the indirect effects of N-glycan removal on its fruit ripening process are unknown. The present study identified 10 GH38 α-man sequences in the F. × ananassa genome with characteristic conserved domains and key residues. A phylogenetic tree built with the neighbor-joining method and three groups of α-man established, of which group I was classified into three subgroups and group III contained only Poaceae spp. sequences. The real-time qPCR results demonstrated that FaMAN genes decreased during fruit ripening, a trend mirrored by the total enzyme activity from the white to ripe stages. The analysis of the promoter regions of these FaMAN genes was enriched with ripening and phytohormone response elements, and contained cis-regulatory elements related to stress responses to low temperature, drought, defense, and salt stress. This study discusses the relevance of α-man in fruit ripening and how it can be a useful target to prolong fruit shelf life.