Overexpression of the Persimmon Abscisic Acid DkUGT3 Gene Alters Plant/Fruit Development in Transgenic Tomato

Abstract Persimmon ( Diospyros kaki Thunb.) contains numerous uridine diphosphate glucosyltransferases (UGT), and their roles in fruit development quality formation have not been well studied because of limited genetic information. This study investigated a persimmon DkUGT3 which is highly expressed young fruits leaves during development. can catalyze ABA glycosylation to form ABA-GE, thereby reducing free ABA. Tomato with overexpressed (OE) significantly induces pale green color phenotypes both transgenic plants fruits. -OE weakens the tomato signaling affects expressions ABA-inducible transcriptional factors (TFs), such as GLK1 GLK2 downstream target genes involved chlorophyll synthesis, chloroplast development, sugar metabolism transport, photosynthesis, impeding leaf quality. Conversely, -RNAi-treatment recovered OE from yellowing phenotype color. found that accumulations level were increased by leaves. These results demonstrate plays crucial ABA-mediated provides new evidence for regulation early