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Molecular and functional characterization of the SBP-box transcription factor SPL-CNR in tomato fruit ripening and

Tongfei Lai1, Xiaohong Wang1, Bishun Ye1

  • 1Research Centre for Plant RNA Signaling and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China.

Journal of Experimental Botany
|February 5, 2020
PubMed

Insights

SlSPL-CNR, a transcription factor gene, is crucial for tomato fruit ripening. Its nuclear localization and zinc-binding activity, along with interaction with SlSnRK1, regulate cell death and ripening processes.

Area of Science:

  • Plant Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Fruit Ripening Physiology

Background:

  • The epimutant Colourless non-ripening (Cnr) locus in tomato provides a model for studying fruit ripening genetics.
  • SlSPL-CNR, an SBP-box transcription factor (TF) gene at the Cnr locus, is implicated in tomato ripening.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the SlSPL-CNR protein, including its localization, functional domains, and interactions.
  • To elucidate the role of SlSPL-CNR in tomato fruit ripening and cell death.

Main Methods:

  • Nuclear localization signal (NLS) and zinc-finger motif (ZFM) mutation analysis.
  • Cell death induction assays in tomato and tobacco.
  • Interaction studies with SlSnRK1.
  • Virus-induced gene silencing of SlSnRK1.

Main Results:

  • SlSPL-CNR is a nucleus-localized protein with a monopartite NLS (30KRKR33) essential for nuclear entry.
  • Both ZFMs in the SBP-box domain contribute to zinc-binding, with differential effects on necrosis.
  • NLS and ZFM mutants failed to complement Cnr fruits for ripening.
  • SlSPL-CNR interacts with SlSnRK1, and SlSnRK1 silencing inhibits ripening-related gene expression and tomato ripening.

Conclusions:

  • SlSPL-CNR is a multifunctional protein regulating tomato fruit ripening and cell death.
  • Its nuclear localization, zinc-binding capacity, and interaction with SlSnRK1 are critical for its function.
Keywords:
Colourless non-ripeningCell deathSlSPL-CNRSlSnRK1nuclear localization signaltomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit ripeningzinc-finger motif

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