The Genetic Complexity of Type-IV Trichome Development Reveals the Steps towards an Insect-Resistant Tomato

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Vendemiatti, Eloisa ; Therezan, Rodrigo ; Vicente, Mateus H. ; Pinto, Maisa de Siqueira ; Bergau, Nick ; Yang, Lina ; Bernardi, Walter Fernando ; de Alencar, Severino M. ; Zsogon, Agustin ; Tissier, Alain ; Benedito, Vagner A. ; Peres, Lazaro E. P.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLANTS-BASEL; v. 11, n. 10, p. 20-pg., 2022-05-01.

Abstract

The leaves of the wild tomato Solanum galapagense harbor type-IV glandular trichomes (GT) that produce high levels of acylsugars (AS), conferring insect resistance. Conversely, domesticated tomatoes (S. lycopersicum) lack type-IV trichomes on the leaves of mature plants, preventing high AS production, thus rendering the plants more vulnerable to insect predation. We hypothesized that cultivated tomatoes engineered to harbor type-IV trichomes on the leaves of adult plants could be insect-resistant. We introgressed the genetic determinants controlling type-IV trichome development from S. galapagense into cv. Micro-Tom (MT) and created a line named "Galapagos-enhanced trichomes" (MT-Get). Mapping-by-sequencing revealed that five chromosomal regions of S. galapagense were present in MT-Get. Further genetic mapping showed that S. galapagense alleles in chromosomes 1, 2, and 3 were sufficient for the presence of type-IV trichomes on adult organs but at lower densities. Metabolic and gene expression analyses demonstrated that type-IV trichome density was not accompanied by the AS production and exudation in MT-Get. Although the plants produce a significant amount of acylsugars, those are still not enough to make them resistant to whiteflies. We demonstrate that type-IV glandular trichome development is insufficient for high AS accumulation. The results from our study provided additional insights into the steps necessary for breeding an insect-resistant tomato. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/17092-3 - Genetic analysis of a new transpiration-dependent salinity tolerance route in tomato plant
• Grantee: Maísa de Siqueira Pinto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 16/22323-4 - Genetic and molecular characterization of type-IV and -VI glandular trichomes development in tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum cv. Micro-Tom) and their participation in arthropod resistance
• Grantee: Eloisa Vendemiatti
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 18/05003-1 - Molecular design of tomato - de novo domestication via genome editing to harness stress tolerance
• Grantee: Lázaro Eustaquio Pereira Peres
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/05566-0 - The impact of plant architecture on tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) yield, water use efficiency and resistance to drought and salt stress
• Grantee: Mateus Henrique Vicente
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 15/50220-2 - Enhancing salt tolerance in tomato crops for advancing sustainable agriculture and food production
• Grantee: Lázaro Eustaquio Pereira Peres
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants