SlTDF1: A key regulator of tapetum degradation and pollen development in tomato

Pollen formation and development during the life cycle of flowering plant are crucial for maintaining reproductive and genetic diversity. In this study, an R2R3MYB family transcription factor, SlTDF1 (SlMYB35), was predominantly expressed in stamens. Repressed expression of SlTDF1 results in a delay in the degradation of the anther tapetum in tomatoes, which in turn leads to the formation of abnormal pollen, including a reduction in the number of single-fruit seeds and fertility when compared to wild-type plants. Analysis of paraffin sections demonstrated that SlTDF1 is a crucial factor in the maturation of tomato pollen. Further analysis of the transcriptomic data revealed that downregulation of the SlTDF1 gene significantly suppressed the expression of genes related to sugar metabolism and anther development. The findings of this study indicated that SlTDF1 plays a pivotal role in regulating tomato pollen development. Moreover, these findings provide a genetic resource for male sterility in tomato plants.