Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The AP2/ERF transcription factor family plays pivotal roles in regulating plant growth, development, and responses to environmental stimuli. In this study, we identified and functionally characterized SlERF.F4, a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) ERF gene encoding a nuclear-localized protein with a conserved AP2/ERF domain. SlERF.F4 transcript levels were rapidly induced by diverse abiotic stresses and phytohormones, including drought, salinity, temperature extremes, abscisic acid (ABA), and brassinosteroids (BR). Overexpression of SlERF.F4 in tomato resulted in reduced plant height, delayed fruit ripening, and downregulation of key ripening-associated genes (RIN, CNR, E4, E8, and PG). Furthermore, SlERF.F4 transgenic lines exhibited enhanced drought tolerance, characterized by reduced wilting, lower malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, and significantly higher survival rates under water-deficit conditions. Collectively, these results indicate that SlERF.F4 functions as a negative regulator of fruit ripening and a positive modulator of drought tolerance, highlighting its potential as a target for tomato genetic improvement.
Source: Horticulturae
Authors: Junhui Yang, Zhenle Liu, Hepeng Li, Wenxin Zhang, Jingting Xu, Bin Li, Wuliang Shi, Chengguo Jia
Institution: Jilin University
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,654
OpenAlex ID: W4417317284
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