A gene encoding an elongation factor LeEF-Tsmt that participates in the protein synthesis process in mitochondria shows strong expression
in ripening fruit as compared to other organs. It is strongly up-regulated during the first stages of the ripening process in parallel with
the climacteric rise in respiration. LeEF-Tsmt expression is stimulated by ethylene, wounding and high temperature but ethylene-insensitive
mutants exhibit normal expression. Transgenic fruit have been generated in which LeEF-Tsmt has been constitutively up- and down-regulated.
Surprisingly, altering the expression of the gene by genetic transformation with antisense and sense LeEF-Tsmt constructs did not affect the
pattern of respiration and ethylene production during ripening and upon wounding. In addition, expression of the alternative oxidase gene
which is known to play an important role in respiratory climacteric was not affected. Possible reasons for the absence of effect on respiration
of variations of LeEF-Tsmt gene expression are discussed