ROLE OF GRP1A IN TOMATO FRUITS: RESPONSE TO DIFFERENT POST-HARVEST CONDITIONS AND POSSIBLE TARGETS FOR INTERACTIONS AND mRNA STABOLIZATION

DENHOFF, AM DE LOURDES; BUSTAMANTE, CLAUDIA A.; DRINCOVICH, MA. FABIANA; MÜLLER, G.L.

Congreso; XXXIV REUNION ANUAL DE FISIOLOGÍA VEGETAL; 2024

SOCIEDAD ARGENTINA DE FISIOLOGÍA VEGETAL

Glycine-rich RNA-binding proteins (GRPs) are involved in the regulation of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. In our lab, transgenic tomato plants cv Microtom that express the GRP1a protein from the mature green stage (PG-preGRP1a plants) have been obtained. The fruits of these plants have been characterized as having a higher protein content, compared to fruits of wild type (WT) plants, when these were stored for 7 days at 4ºC. In this work, progress was made in the knowledge of the response of WT and transgenic tomato fruits (PG-preGRP1a plants) under prolonged cold postharvest storage. Consequently, fruits were harvested at the yellowish mature green stage (D0) and stored at 4ºC (damage-inducing temperature) and 15ºC (control temperature) for 21 days. Storage of tomato fruits at 4°C for 21 days delayed ripening and also induced cold damage, which was greater in WT fruits compared to transgenic fruits. This damage is exacerbated by storing the fruits at room temperature 1 day after treatment. Fruit samples were collected under the different treatments and prior to them (D0) for evaluation. Proteome analysis of the different genotype fruits and conditions help to explain the phenotypes observed in WT and PG-preGRP1a fruits.Differential proteins were identified, particularly in the fruits of PG-preGRP1a plants subjected to treatments that induce cold damage. Quantitative real-time PCR of the corresponding coding transcripts allows addressing the hypothesis that suggests the formation of stabilized mRNA-GRP1 complexes, allowing the RNA processing and translation. In conclusion, this study reveals new objectives that improve the shelf life and quality of fruits stored at low temperatures.