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RiLinc6978-encoded P6978 interacts with ASR1 to regulate ROS homeostasis
Xiuming Zhao1, Fujun Li1, Yue Ji1
1College of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255000, Shandong, PR China.
Plant Physiology
|July 30, 2026
Summary
A novel protein, P6978, derived from a long non-coding RNA (RiLinc6978) in tomatoes, fine-tunes reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis. This discovery accelerates fruit ripening and enhances stress resilience in crops.
Area of Science:
- Plant molecular biology
- Fruit ripening mechanisms
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism
Background:
- Tomato fruit ripening involves complex reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis.
- Regulatory mechanisms governing ROS during ripening are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel regulators of ROS homeostasis during tomato fruit ripening.
- To elucidate the role of a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-derived protein in modulating fruit maturation and stress responses.
Main Methods:
- Identification of a functional protein (P6978) encoded by a lncRNA (RiLinc6978) with a short open reading frame (sORF).
- Structural and physicochemical analyses of P6978.
- In vitro and in vivo interaction assays between P6978 and ABA stress-ripening 1 (ASR1).
- Transcriptomic and alternative splicing analyses.
Main Results:
- P6978, a stable polypeptide, localizes to the nucleus and interacts with ASR1.
- P6978 binding modulates ASR1's repression of antioxidant genes, enhancing ROS-scavenging systems.
- Loss of P6978 disrupts metabolic pathways related to ROS, pigments, and stress responses.
- P6978 fine-tunes ROS homeostasis, accelerating tomato ripening.
Conclusions:
- A novel regulatory module involving a lncRNA-derived protein (P6978) and transcription factor (ASR1) optimizes ROS homeostasis.
- This module accelerates tomato fruit ripening and may improve postharvest stress resilience.
- Findings expand the known functions of plant lncRNAs and offer targets for crop improvement.
Keywords:
ASR1 transcription factorLong non-coding RNAProtein P6978Reactive oxygen species metabolismMore Related Videos
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