Manipulation of light signaling and nitric oxide metabolism as a means of improving tomato quality traits

• Grant number: 18/16389-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: December 01, 2018 - May 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Pant Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Luciano Freschi
• Grantee: Luciano Freschi
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Fleshy fruit growth and ripening are under strict developmental, hormonal and epigenetic regulation, which in turn are fine-tuned by a plethora of environmental stimuli. Among environmental cues, light plays a significant role in determining fruit growth, pigmentation and timing of ripening. In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), a major model species for fleshy fruits and leading vegetable crop, several lines of evidence indicate that changes in phytochrome(PHY)-dependent light perception and signaling can lead to significant alterations in fruit development and quality traits. Similarly, recent studies implicate the free radical nitric oxide (NO) as a key regulatory signal controlling fruit metabolism and ripening. Therefore, by applying functional genomic, biochemical and physiological approaches, this project aims to investigate the impacts of manipulating light perception and signal transduction as well as NO metabolism on tomato fruit biology. The specific role played by fruit-localized phytochromes and their downstream signaling cascades on regulating biochemical and developmental processes that directly impact major features of tomato fruit nutritional quality will be investigate both in an isolated or combined manner. Moreover, genes, proteins and metabolic processes controlled by NO during tomato ripening will be identified under both optional and stressful environmental conditions via both genetic and pharmacological approaches. (AU)

Scientific publications

(8)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

RODRIGUES ALVES, FREDERICO ROCHA; LIRA, BRUNO SILVESTRE; PIKART, FILIPE CHRISTIAN; MONTEIRO, SCARLET SANTOS; FURLAN, CLAUDIA MARIA; PURGATTO, EDUARDO; PASCOAL, GRAZIELI BENEDETTI; SILVA ANDRADE, SONIA CRISTINA; DEMARCO, DIEGO; ROSSI, MAGDALENA; et al. Beyond the limits of photoperception: constitutively active PHYTOCHROME B2 overexpression as a means of improving fruit nutritional quality in tomato. Plant Biotechnology Journal, v. 18, n. 10, APR 2020. (16/04924-0, 18/25774-2, 18/16389-8, 16/01128-9)

ZUCCARELLI, RAFAEL; RODRIGUEZ-RUIZ, MARTA; LOPES-OLIVEIRA, PATRICIA J.; PASCOAL, GRAZIELI B.; ANDRADE, SONIA C. S.; FURLAN, CLAUDIA M.; PURGATTO, EDUARDO; PALMA, JOSE M.; CORPAS, FRANCISCO J.; ROSSI, MAGDALENA; et al. Multifaceted roles of nitric oxide in tomato fruit ripening: NO-induced metabolic rewiring and consequences for fruit quality traits. Journal of Experimental Botany, v. 72, n. 3, SI, p. 941-958, FEB 11 2021. (16/04924-0, 18/16389-8, 16/01128-9, 17/17935-3)

PALMA, JOSE M.; FRESCHI, LUCIANO; RODRIGUEZ-RUIZ, MARTA; GONZALEZ-GORDO, SALVADOR; CORPAS, FRANCISCO J.. Nitric oxide in the physiology and quality of fleshy fruits. Journal of Experimental Botany, v. 70, n. 17, p. 13-pg., 2019-09-01. (16/01128-9, 18/16389-8)

PALMA, JOSE M.; FRESCHI, LUCIANO; RODRIGUEZ-RUIZ, MARTA; GONZALEZ-GORDO, SALVADOR; CORPAS, FRANCISCO J.. Nitric oxide in the physiology and quality of fleshy fruits. Journal of Experimental Botany, v. 70, n. 17, SI, p. 4405-4417, SEP 1 2019. (18/16389-8, 16/01128-9)

LOPES-OLIVEIRA, PATRICIA JULIANA; OLIVEIRA, HALLEY CAIXETA; KOLBERT, ZSUZSANNA; FRESCHI, LUCIANO. The light and dark sides of nitric oxide: multifaceted roles o nitric oxide in plant responses to light. Journal of Experimental Botany, v. 72, n. 3, SI, p. 885-903, FEB 11 2021. (16/01128-9, 18/16389-8, 20/03720-8)

ZUCCARELLI, RAFAEL; RODRIGUEZ-RUIZ, MARTA; SILVA, FERNANDA O.; GOMES, LETICIA D. L.; LOPES-OLIVEIRA, PATRICIA J.; ZSOGON, AGUSTIN; ANDRADE, SONIA C. S.; DEMARCO, DIEGO; CORPAS, FRANCISCO J.; PERES, LAZARO E. P.; et al. Loss of S-nitrosoglutathione reductase disturbs phytohormone homeostasis and regulates shoot side branching and fruit growth in tomato. Journal of Experimental Botany, v. N/A, p. 20-pg., 2023-05-09. (18/16389-8, 20/03720-8, 21/05714-8, 16/01128-9, 18/06436-9, 16/02033-1, 17/17935-3)

PALMA, JOSE M.; CORPAS, FRANCISCO J.; FRESCHI, LUCIANO. Editorial: Fruit ripening: From present knowledge to future development, Volume II. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE, v. 13, p. 3-pg., 2022-12-01. (18/16389-8, 16/01128-9, 16/04924-0)

KOLBERT, ZSUZSANNA; FEIGL, GABOR; FRESCHI, LUCIANO; POOR, PETER. Gasotransmitters in Action: Nitric Oxide-Ethylene Crosstalk during Plant Growth and Abiotic Stress Responses. ANTIOXIDANTS, v. 8, n. 6, JUN 2019. (18/16389-8, 16/01128-9)