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Genomics of Tomato and Molecular Biology for Phytonutrients in Tomato Fruit

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A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Genetics and Genomics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 August 2021) | Viewed by 9986

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Dear Colleagues,

Tomato, considered both a vegetable and a fruit, is a top-ranking vegetable worldwide, of high economical value, and generally a part of human diet. Consumers who value foods rich in nutrition are keen to see improvements in tomato quality. Recent scientific developments, including genome sequencing of tomato, and unraveling knowhow regarding the regulation of critical metabolic pathways, are seen as important developments toward the genetic enhancement of tomato. These can in turn help to enhance nutritive/flavorful molecule levels and build long-lasting nutrition-rich tomato for human health. Thus, intensified research involving, for example, signaling factors, gene transcription factors, microRNAs, plant hormonal crosstalk, and other crosstalk at genetic and epigenetic levels are a prelude not only to unraveling fundamental processes but also to developing nutrition-rich tomato resistant to different abiotic and biotic stresses. This Special Issue on Tomato Genetics—Improvement of Fruit Quality Traits and Stress Tolerance in Genes is therefore a timely medium for researchers to submit their original manuscripts and/or subject reviews to address the new developments in this research field.

Dr. Autar K. Mattoo
Guest Editor

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Keywords

Fruit biology
Tolerance to abiotic stresses
Tolerance to biotic stresses
Ethylene interaction with polyamines
Flavor, ripening, and nutritional quality
Genetics and epigenetics

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 4820 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification and Molecular Characterization of the Growth-Regulating Factors-Interacting Factor Gene Family in Tomato

by Guo Ai, Dedi Zhang, Rong Huang, Shiqi Zhang, Wangfang Li, John K. Ahiakpa and Junhong Zhang

Genes 2020, 11(12), 1435; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/genes11121435 - 28 Nov 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3798

Abstract

Growth-regulating factors-interacting factor (GIF) proteins play crucial roles in the regulation of plant growth and development. However, the molecular mechanism of GIF proteins in tomato is poorly understood. Here, four SlGIF genes (named SlGRF1a, SlGIF1b, SlGIF2, and SlGIF3) were identified from the tomato genome and clustered into two major clades by phylogenetic analysis. The gene structure and motif pattern analyses showed similar exon/intron patterns and motif organizations in all the SlGIFs. We identified 33 cis-acting regulatory elements (CAREs) in the promoter regions of the SlGIFs. The expression profiling revealed the four GIFs are expressed in various tissues and stages of fruit development and induced by phytohormones (IAA and GA). The subcellular localization assays showed all four GIFs were located in nucleus. The yeast two-hybrid assay indicated various growth-regulating factors (SlGRFs) proteins interacted with the four SlGIF proteins. However, SlGRF4 was a common interactor with the SlGIF proteins. Moreover, a higher co-expression relationship was shown between three SlGIF genes and five SlGRF genes. The protein association network analysis found a chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein (CHD) and an actin-like protein to be associated with the four SlGIF proteins. Overall, these results will improve our understanding of the potential functions of GIF genes and act as a base for further functional studies on GIFs in tomato growth and development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genomics of Tomato and Molecular Biology for Phytonutrients in Tomato Fruit)

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Review

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24 pages, 1545 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Regulation of Vitamin C Accumulation for Improved Tomato Fruit Quality and Alleviation of Abiotic Stress

by Ifigeneia Mellidou, Athanasios Koukounaras, Stefanos Kostas, Efstathia Patelou and Angelos K. Kanellis

Genes 2021, 12(5), 694; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/genes12050694 - 06 May 2021

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 5448

Abstract

Ascorbic acid (AsA) is an essential multifaceted phytonutrient for both the human diet and plant growth. Optimum levels of AsA accumulation combined with balanced redox homeostasis are required for normal plant development and defense response to adverse environmental stimuli. Notwithstanding its moderate AsA levels, tomatoes constitute a good source of vitamin C in the human diet. Therefore, the enhancement of AsA levels in tomato fruit attracts considerable attention, not only to improve its nutritional value but also to stimulate stress tolerance. Genetic regulation of AsA concentrations in plants can be achieved through the fine-tuning of biosynthetic, recycling, and transport mechanisms; it is also linked to changes in the whole fruit metabolism. Emerging evidence suggests that tomato synthesizes AsA mainly through the l-galactose pathway, but alternative pathways through d-galacturonate or myo-inositol, or seemingly unrelated transcription and regulatory factors, can be also relevant in certain developmental stages or in response to abiotic factors. Considering the recent advances in our understanding of AsA regulation in model and other non-model species, this review attempts to link the current consensus with novel technologies to provide a comprehensive strategy for AsA enhancement in tomatoes, without any detrimental effect on plant growth or fruit development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genomics of Tomato and Molecular Biology for Phytonutrients in Tomato Fruit)

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