Rapid loss of firmness is a major handicap for persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) transportation and retail. The present study employed a comparative transcriptomic approach to elucidate the mechanism involving ethylene and cell wall modification related genes in fruit firmness control of two cultivars during post harvest ripening. In contrast to the short shelf life cultivar (Mopan), the long shelf life cultivar (Yoho) kept high firmness during ripening. Extensive loss of firmness in Mopan drove an intense transcriptional activity. Globally, Mopan and Yoho shared very few common differentially expressed structural genes and regulators. Yoho strongly repressed the expression of ACC synthase and several classes of cell wall degradation genes at the onset of ripening and only induced them during late ripening period. Various ERF, WRKY, MYB, bHLH transcription factors were found highly active during fruit ripening. Overall, this study generates novel gene resources as important tools for extending persimmon shelf life.

快速失去硬度是柿子的主要障碍（柿柿Thunb.) 运输和零售。本研究采用比较转录组学方法来阐明乙烯和细胞壁修饰相关基因在两个品种收获后成熟期间果实硬度控制中的机制。与保质期短的品种（Mopan）相比，保质期长的品种（Yoho）在成熟过程中保持高硬度。Mopan 中硬度的广泛丧失推动了强烈的转录活动。在全球范围内，Mopan 和 Yoho 共享非常少的常见差异表达结构基因和调节因子。Yoho在成熟开始时强烈抑制ACC合酶和几类细胞壁降解基因的表达，并且仅在成熟后期诱导它们。各种ERF、WRKY、MYB、bHLH转录因子在果实成熟过程中被发现高度活跃。