# <scp>MdWRKY31</scp>‐<scp>MdNAC7</scp> regulatory network: orchestrating fruit softening by modulating cell wall‐modifying enzyme <scp>MdXTH2</scp> in response to ethylene signalling

*PRI Rank #10 · Topics and Trends in Most Cited Plant Physiology and Cultivation Studies Papers, Class of 2026*

*Canonical URL: https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/plant-physiology-and-cultivation-studies/2026/rank-10*

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Rank | #10 |
| 18m citations | 32 |
| Journal | Plant Biotechnology Journal |
| Year | 2024 |
| DOI | 10.1111/pbi.14445 |
| Corresponding authors | Da‐Gang Hu |
| Institution | Shandong Agricultural University, China |

**Ranking page:** [Topics and Trends in Most Cited Plant Physiology and Cultivation Studies Papers, Class of 2026](https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/plant-physiology-and-cultivation-studies/2026)

**Paper link:** [10.1111/pbi.14445](https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.14445)

## Topics

WRKY31 · MdNAC7 · MdXTH2 · ethylene signaling · fruit softening · WRKY transcription factor · NAC transcription factor · xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolases · apple fruit · Climacteric fruit · cell wall remodeling · yeast one-hybrid · electrophoretic mobility shift assay · Dual-luciferase assay · W-box element · protein complex formation · cellulose content · water-soluble pectin · gene silencing · postharvest storage

## Cite this ranking

```
Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Plant Physiology and Cultivation Studies Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/plant-physiology-and-cultivation-studies/2026. Accessed 2026-07-15.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459
```