乙烯在果实成熟和衰老进程中发挥着核心作用，硫化氢（H2S）是一种新型气体信号分子，其在植物中的生理功能也引起了人们越来越多的关注。前期我们证明H2S是植物成熟衰老的内源调控因子，其延迟植物衰老死亡的功能具有普遍性。最近我们发现，H2S拮抗乙烯介导了采后果实的成熟与衰老进程，而相关的作用机制尚不清晰。本课题拟以呼吸跃变型果实猕猴桃和梨子为研究对象，以乙烯生物合成和信号传递通路为研究核心，考查果实成熟衰老进程中H2S对乙烯信号通路中关键因子的调控方式；比较受H2S与乙烯调控的基因表达谱的差异；构建H2S与乙烯信号的消长、乙烯信号通路及基因表达的时空变化模式图，揭示H2S拮抗乙烯延缓果实成熟衰老的分子机理。本研究将为探索H2S的新功能，充实乙烯信号通路，且为果实采后生理研究及应用提供新的思路。

Ethylene plays a vital role in the maturation and senescence of fruits. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is new gaseous signaling molecule whose physiological functions in plants have attracted more and more attentions. In our previous study, H2S was proved to be an endogenous regulator in plant maturation and senescence and the role of H2S in delaying senescence and death is universal in plant kingdom. Recently, we found H2S effectively counteracted the physiological role of ethylene, thereby modulating the maturation and senescence of postharvest fruits, while the underlying mechanism is still obscure. Using the climacteric model fruits, kiwifruit and pear, this project focuses on ethylene biosynthesis and signaling pathway by examining how H2S regulates the key elements in ethylene pathway during fruit maturation and senescence. Then S-sulfhydrated proteins and the sulfhydrated Cys residues are screened and identified, meanwhile the physiological function of this modification is investigated. The differential gene expression patterns are also compared between H2S and ethylene treatments. Finally, the temporal and spatial changes involving the variation of H2S and ethylene levels, ethylene signaling pathway, S-sulfhydrated proteins and gene expression patterns are illustrated. This project will explore new functions of H2S, add more knowledge to ethylene pathway and also provide new clues to postharvest physiology and practical application.