Modulating the activity of the APC/C regulator SISAMBA improves the sugar and antioxidant content of tomato fruits

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de Oliveira, Perla Novais ; de Souza, Leonardo Perez ; Ferreira, Pedro Boscariol ; Mauxion, Jean Phillippe ; da Silva, Luis Felipe Correa ; Chang, Ana Isabela ; Saleme, Marina de Lyra Soriano ; Zhu, Feng ; Garcia, Sara Selma ; De Beukelaer, Herman ; Martins, Marina C. M. ; Rosado-Souza, Laise ; Pino, Lilian Ellen ; Bollier, Norbert ; Peres, Lazaro Eustaquio Pereira ; Vandepoele, Klaas ; Goossens, Alain ; Gonzalez, Nathalie ; Fernie, Alisdair R. ; Eloy, Nubia Barbosa

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Plant Biotechnology Journal; v. N/A, p. 21-pg., 2025-06-08.

Abstract

The Anaphase-Promoting Complex/Cyclosome (APC/C) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that plays a crucial role in ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis of key cell cycle regulators, which is completed by the 26S proteasome. Previously, SAMBA, a plant-specific regulator of the APC/C, was identified in Arabidopsis as a critical factor controlling organ size through the regulation of cell proliferation. Here, by assessing its role in the crop tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), we confirm that SAMBA is a conserved APC/C regulator in plants and shows additional roles, including the modulation of fruit shape and changes in sugar metabolism. Two slsamba genome-edited lines were produced and characterized, and showed delayed growth, reduced plant size, and altered fruit morphology, which were linked to changes in cell division and expansion. Notably, untargeted metabolomics revealed altered flavonoid profiles, along with elevated Brix values in the fruits, indicating a sweeter taste. Accordingly, transcriptomics uncovered a change in temporal gene expression gradients during early fruit development, correlating with the alterations in sugar metabolism and revealing changes in cell wall biosynthesis genes. This study provides the first evidence of SAMBA's role in regulating fruit development, metabolic content, and ultimately, quality. These important findings offer potential applications for improving the nutritional quality and overall performance of tomatoes. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 23/13107-0 - Characterization of the overexpressions effect of SAMBA gene in Micro-Tom
• Grantee: Ana Isabela Chang
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 21/06611-8 - APC as an entry point to study small molecule regulation of the cell cycle
• Grantee: Perla Novais de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 21/03212-5 - Functional Characterization of subunit 5 from Anaphase Promoter Complex
• Grantee: Luís Felipe Correa da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 17/10333-8 - APC as an entry point to study small molecule regulation of the cell cycle
• Grantee: Nubia Barbosa Eloy
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/00888-5 - APC as an entry point to study small molecule regulation of the cell cycle
• Grantee: Marina de Lyra Soriano Saleme
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral