ARS | Publication request: DEVELOPMENTAL GENE REGULATION DURING TOMATO FRUIT RIPENING AND IN VITRO SEPAL MORPHOGENESIS

Submitted to: Plant Molecular Biology Reporter
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: August 7, 2003
Publication Date: August 7, 2003
Citation: Bartley, G.E., Ishida, B.K. 2003. Developmental gene regulation during tomato fruit ripening and in-vitro sepal morphogenesis. BMC Plant Biology, Vol 3, #4, p. 1-11.

Interpretive Summary: Red ripe tomatoes, appealing to the eye as well as the palate, result from many physiological changes controlled by hormonal and developmental signals, causing simultaneous maturation or differentiation of various fruit tissues. These changes affect appearance, texture, flavor, and aroma, making fruit more appealing to potential consumers for seed dispersal. Developmental regulation of tomato fruit ripening has, until recently, lacked rigorous investigation. Here, we examine further the regulation of putative developmental genes possibly involved in tomato fruit ripening. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods, we determined relative abundances of various transcripts of genes that might be involved in the regulation of these events. Our investigation resulted in confirmation of some of our previous database-mining results and shows differences in gene expression that might be important to tomato cultivar variation. We present intriguing expression profiles of genes that can now be studied in a more focused fashion.

Technical Abstract: Red ripe tomatoes are the result of numerous physiological changes controlled by hormonal and developmental signals, causing maturation or differentiation of various fruit tissues simultaneously. These physiological changes affect visual, textural, flavor, and aroma characteristics, making fruit more appealing to potential consumers for seed dispersal. Developmental regulation of tomato fruit ripening has, until recently, lacked rigorous investigation. Here, we examine further the regulation of putative developmental genes possibly involved in tomato fruit ripening and development. Using molecular biological methods, we determined relative abundances of various transcripts of genes possibly involved in the regulation of these events. Our investigation resulted in confirmation of some of our previous database-mining results and reveals differences in gene expression that might be important to tomato cultivar variation. We present intriguing information that can now be studied in a more focused fashion.