SlERF.G3-Like mediates a hierarchical transcriptional cascade to regulate ripening and metabolic changes in tomato fruit

The tomato ripening process contains complex changes, including ethylene signalling, cell wall softening and numerous metabolic changes. So far, much is still unknown about how tomato plants precisely coordinate fruit maturation and metabolic regulation. In this paper, the ERF family transcription factor SlERF.G3-Like in tomato was found to be involved in the regulation of ethylene synthesis, cell wall degradation and the flavonoid pathway. We show that the master ripening regulator SlRIN was found to directly bind to the promoter region of SlERF.G3-Like to activate its expression. In addition, we managed to increase the production of resveratrol derivatives from similar to 1.44 mg/g DW in E8:VvStSy line to similar to 2.43 mg/g DW by crossing p35S: SlERF.G3-Like with the E8:VvStSy line. Our data provide direct evidence that SlERF.G3-Like, a hierarchical transcriptional factor, can directly manipulate pathways in which tomatoes can coordinate fruit maturation and metabolic changes. We also attest that SlERF.G3-Like can be used as an effective tool for phenylpropanoid metabolic engineering.

Automated summary

In this study, a transcription factor called SlERF.G3-Like in tomato was found to play a role in regulating ethylene synthesis, cell wall degradation, and the flavonoid pathway. The researchers also discovered the interaction between SlERF.G3-Like and the master ripening regulator SlRIN, and increased the production of resveratrol derivatives through genetic manipulation. These findings provide insights into the coordination of fruit maturation and metabolic changes in tomatoes, and have implications for metabolic engineering.