A glutathione-independent DJ-1/PfpI domain-containing tomato glyoxalaseIII2, SlGLYIII2, confers enhanced tolerance under salt and osmotic stresses.

In plants, glyoxalase enzymes are activated under stress conditions to mitigate the toxic effects of hyperaccumulated methylglyoxal (MG), a highly reactive carbonyl compound. Until recently, a glutathione-dependent bi-enzymatic pathway involving glyoxalase I (GLYI) and glyoxalase II (GLYII) was considered the primary MG-detoxification system. Recently, a new glutathione-independent glyoxalase III (GLYIII) mediated direct route was also reported in plants.

Genome-wide analysis of genes encoding MBD domain-containing proteins from tomato suggest their role in fruit development and abiotic stress responses.

In tomato, DNA methylation has an inhibitory effect on fruit ripening. The inhibition of DNA methyltransferase by 5-azacytidine results in premature fruit ripening. Methyl CpG binding domain (MBD) proteins are the readers of DNA methylation marks and help in the recruitment of chromatin-modifying enzymes which affect gene expression.

An Overview of Signaling Regulons During Cold Stress Tolerance in Plants.

Plants, being sessile organisms, constantly withstand environmental fluctuations, including low-temperature, also referred as cold stress. Whereas cold poses serious challenges at both physiological and developmental levels to plants growing in tropical or sub-tropical regions, plants from temperate climatic regions can withstand chilling or freezing temperatures. Several cold inducible genes have already been isolated and used in transgenic approach to generate cold tolerant plants.

Evolutionary Profiling of Group II Pyridoxal-Phosphate-Dependent Decarboxylases Suggests Expansion and Functional Diversification of Histidine Decarboxylases in Tomato.

Pyridoxal phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzymes are one of the most important enzymes involved in plant N metabolism. Here, we explored the evolution of group II PLP-dependent decarboxylases (PLP_deC), including aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, glutamate decarboxylase, and histidine decarboxylase in the plant lineage. Gene identification analysis revealed a higher number of genes encoding PLP_deC in higher plants than in lower plants.

Fruit preferential activity of the tomato RIP1 gene promoter in transgenic tomato and Arabidopsis.

Isolation and functional characterization of tissue- and stage-specific gene promoters is beneficial for genetic improvement of economically important crops. Here, we have characterized a putative promoter of a ripening-induced gene RIP1 (Ripening induced protein 1) in tomato. Quantification of the transcript level of RIP1 showed that its expression is fruit preferential, with maximum accumulation in red ripe fruits.