Critical roles of mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis in tomato development and environmental response

Plant mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis (mtFAS) appears to be important in photorespiration based on the reverse genetics research from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) in recent years, but its roles in plant development have not been completely explored. Here, we identified a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) mutant, fern-like, which displays pleiotropic phenotypes including dwarfism, yellowing, curly leaves, and increased axillary buds. Positional cloning and genetic and heterozygous complementation tests revealed that the underlying gene FERN encodes a 3-hydroxyl-ACP dehydratase enzyme involved in mtFAS. FERN was causally involved in tomato morphogenesis by affecting photorespiration, energy supply, and the homeostasis of reactive oxygen species. Based on lipidome data, FERN and the mtFAS pathway may modulate tomato development by influencing mitochondrial membrane lipid composition and other lipid metabolic pathways. These findings provide important insights into the roles and importance of mtFAS in tomato development. The pathway of mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis participates in tomato morphogenesis via modulating photorespiration, redox homeostasis, and lipid metabolism.

Automated summary

Plant mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis (mtFAS) plays an important role in tomato development. A mutant tomato was identified that displayed pleiotropic phenotypes and affected tomato morphogenesis by influencing photorespiration, energy supply, and reactive oxygen species homeostasis. The mtFAS pathway may modulate tomato development by influencing mitochondrial membrane lipid composition and other lipid metabolic pathways.