Abstract: This review summarizes abscisic acid（ABA）physiological function，metabolism and signaling transduction，and provides insight into the molecular mechanism of ABA from production to action. ABA accumulation in fruit is mainly regulated by four key enzymes，including NCEDs，CYP707As，GTs and BGs. In the processes of fruit ripening，ABA signal is perceived by some receptor proteins，such as PYRs，in turn is transmitted to the downstream transcription factors and cis-elements through protein reversible phosphorylation of ABI1 and SnRK2 to trigger the expression of the genes related to fruit ripening，such as softening，sugar accumulation and coloration. The molecular mechanisms of ABA in the regulation of fruit ripening and regulatory network of ABA，sugar and ethylene will be important research area in the future.

Key words: fruit development and ripening, abscisic acid, metabolism, signaling transduction