Asr1 protein levels associated with changes in growth and development of tomato plants

DOMINGUEZ G.; KAMENETZKY L.; BALBO I.; IUSEM N.; INSANI M.; IRIBARNE M. M.; FERNIE A. R.; CARRARI F.

Mar de Plata Argentina

Congreso; XLIII SAIB; 2007

ASR transcription factor family (abscicic acid -ABA-, stress and ripening) is widely distributed in higher plants such as tomato, potato, grape and others. Isolated evidences suggest these proteins to be involved in a common transduction signaling pathway of carbohydrates and ABA. Understanding the functionality of these proteins will render in their use for metabolic engineer approaches. Transgenic tomato plants silenced and overexpressing were obtained.An exhaustive phenotypic analysis of these plants showed dramatic alterations in their growth and development patterns both during vegetative and reproductive stages. Plant high and dry matter accumulation were significantly reduced in silenced lines. Moreover, flowering and fruit set patterns resulted significantly reduced in these transgenic in comparison with the overexpressing lines and their controls. These changes correlated with reductions in transpiration rate and stomata conductance measurements recorded during early vegetative stages. In addition, silenced lines showed a decrease of total yield and an increase in soluble solid contents of the fruits (SSC). Preliminary analysis of total phenolic contents of these fruits showed no differences between the lines and their corresponding controls.Adetailed biochemical analysis of sink and source organs should allow to understand the proposed cross-talk mechanisms.