A SlRBP1-SlFBA7/SlGPIMT module regulates fruit size in tomato

Area of Science:

• Plant Molecular Biology
• Fruit Development
• Gene Regulation

Background:

• Fleshy fruits are crucial dietary sources of nutrients.
• RNA-binding proteins are essential for plant development but their role in fruit development is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the function of the RNA-binding protein SlRBP1 in tomato fruit development.
• Identify SlRBP1's targets and elucidate its mechanism in controlling fruit size.

Main Methods:

• Fruit-specific gene silencing using artificial miRNA.
• Cytological analysis of fruit pericarp.
• Native RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (RIP-seq) to identify SlRBP1 targets.

Main Results:

• Silencing SlRBP1 significantly reduced tomato fruit size.
• SlRBP1 knockdown decreased cell division and expansion in the fruit pericarp.
• RIP-seq identified 83 SlRBP1 targets, including SlFBA7 and SlGPIMT, which are critical for fruit development.

Conclusions:

• SlRBP1 plays a key role in modulating tomato fruit size.
• The SlRBP1-SlFBA7/SlGPIMT regulatory pathway is essential for fruit development.
• This study offers new insights into the molecular mechanisms of RNA-binding proteins in fruit size control.