AUTHOR=Fan Mingqin , Gao Shenghua , Ren Junling , Yang Qihong , Li Hanxia , Yang Changxian , Ye Zhibiao 

TITLE=Overexpression of SlRBZ Results in Chlorosis and Dwarfism through Impairing Chlorophyll, Carotenoid, and Gibberellin Biosynthesis in Tomato

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=7

YEAR=2016

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2016.00907

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2016.00907

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>ZFPs play important roles in many biological processes, including plant development, stress response, and phytohormone response. RanBP2-type zinc finger transcription factors have been characterized in animals and humans. However, their functions remain largely unknown in plants. In this study, we identified a RanBP2-type zinc finger protein gene (<italic>SlRBZ</italic>) in tomato. <italic>SlRBZ</italic> was constitutively expressed in roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits. The SlRBZ-GFP fused protein was localized in the nucleus. Overexpression of <italic>SlRBZ</italic> resulted in chlorosis and dwarf phenotypes in tomato. Determination of physiological index showed that chlorophyll, carotenoid, and GAs contents were evidently decreased in transgenic plants. Furthermore, the qRT-PCR and RNA-Seq analyses demonstrated that the transcription of the genes involved in these biosynthesis pathways obviously decreased in <italic>SlRBZ</italic>-OE plants. In addition, ultrastructural observation by transmission electron microscopy indicated that plastids could not develop into mature chloroplasts with normal chloroplast membrane and thylakoid membrane system in <italic>SlRBZ</italic>-OE plants. The results suggest that overexpression of <italic>SlRBZ</italic> may impair the biosynthesis of chlorophyll, carotenoid, and gibberellin through blocking chloroplast development, resulting in chlorosis and dwarfism in tomato.</p>