| Grant number: | 13/50481-5 |
| Support type: | Regular Research Grants |
| Duration: | January 01, 2014 - December 31, 2015 |
| Field of knowledge: | Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms |
| Cooperation agreement: | CONICET |
| Principal researcher: | Maria Magdalena Rossi |
| Grantee: | Maria Magdalena Rossi |
| Principal researcher abroad: | Fernando Oscar Carrari |
| Institution abroad: | Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina |
| Home Institution: | Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil |
| Associated research grant: | 12/12531-8 - Functional characterization of target genes aiming VTE content improvement in Solanum Lycopersicum, AP.R |
Abstract
Besides its economical and nutritional importance, Solanum lycopersicum is a model system for plant physiology studies. The fresh fruit as well as the derivatives are sources of several antioxidants including vitamin E (VTE). The understanding of the mechanisms involved in the biosynthesis, transport and accumulation of VTE in plants is highly desirable due its significant role in human health and plant physiology. Our group identified ali tomato genes involved in VTE biosynthesis, 12 QTL associated with its content and proposed 16 candidate loci as possible genetic determinants of the mapped QTL Out of those, it is worth noting some biosynthetic enzyme encoding genes, a putative VTE transporter and chlorophyll dephytylation-related genes. Chlorophyll degradation is a major process involved in tomato fruit ripening and several evidences indicate the existence of a crosstalk with VTE metabolism, since the released phytol can be incorporated as precursor for the prenylic tail of tocopherol. In this context, the present project aims to evaluate the role of genes involved in VTE biosynthesis and transport and, as well as in chlorophyll degradation and ripening regulation, in VTE accumulation in tomato. The objective will be targeted by two approaches: i) identification and evaluation of mutants and, ii) functional characterization of the putative VTE transporter. (AU)