Another gene that may contribute to the regulation of cell wall structure, and whose message is up-regulated early by MJ, is the LIM transcription factor; its homologue in tobacco regulates many genes involved in the phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway (Kawaoka et al. 2000). In transgenic tobacco, NtLIM overexpression does not increase lignin deposition, but is associated with enhanced transcription of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and, particularly, of hydroxycinnamoyl-alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) (Kawaoka et al., 2000). In strawberry, enhanced CAD gene expression is associated with firmer flesh (Salentijn et al., 2003). Thus, LIM overexpression may profoundly alter the phenylpropanoid pathway in MJ-treated fruit, possibly leading to accumulation of lignin precursors, which can represent defence compounds by contributing to cell wall strengthening.