Hydrogen peroxide and the thriller of fruit ripening: ‘Sign messengers’ in crops

Micro-Tom tomato planted in a greenhouse. Credit score: Zhou Leilei

A analysis crew led through Prof. Qin Guozheng from the Institute of Botany of the Chinese language Academy of Sciences has unveiled a prior to now unrecognized mechanism in which the RNA N6–methyladenosine (m6A) demethylase SlALKBH2 undergoes reduction-oxidation (redox) amendment. This variation impacts its steadiness and its physiological function in regulating the standard ripening of tomato end result.

On this learn about, printed in Nature Vegetation, the researchers deepened their working out of the function of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a light oxidant that purposes as a pivotal signaling molecule in controlling a couple of organic processes.
They discovered that H2O2-mediated oxidative amendment regulates the serve as of SlALKBH2, which is very important for the correct ripening of fleshy end result. This ripening level represents the overall segment of fruit building, without delay influencing fruit high quality and shelf existence.
Particularly, the researchers confirmed how H2O2 signaling interacts with RNA methylation amendment to keep an eye on plant building in a coordinated approach.
Essentially the most prevalent chemical amendment in eukaryotic mRNAs is m6A methylation. It regulates more than a few organic processes, together with mRNA steadiness and translation potency, through modulating mRNA metabolism.
As individuals of the dioxygenase circle of relatives, m6A demethylases, together with SlALKBH2, are able to oxidatively reversing m6A methylation. This capability raises the query of whether or not SlALKBH2 itself is matter to oxidative amendment, very similar to different redox-sensitive proteins.
To check this speculation, the researchers transiently expressed the SlALKBH2 gene in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves handled without or with H2O2, then therefore monitored the redox standing of SlALKBH2.

The effects indicated a marked sensitivity of SlALKBH2 to H2O2-induced oxidation, ensuing within the formation of homodimers each in N. benthamiana leaves and in tomato end result. Significantly, publicity to H2O2 was once proven to boost up tomato fruit ripening, implicating SlALKBH2 oxidation on this procedure.
The formation of SlALKBH2 homodimers was once attributed to the involvement of a couple of cysteine (Cys) residues, with Cys39 recognized as a a very powerful web page; mutation at this location significantly diminished homodimer formation. Whilst oxidative amendment advanced the steadiness of the SlALKBH2 protein, it didn’t have an effect on its m6A demethylase task.
Additionally, the researchers recognized NADPH-thioredoxin reductase C (SlNTRC) because the interacting protein of SlALKBH2. They demonstrated that SlNTRC regulates the redox state of SlALKBH2, thus affecting its m6A demethylation serve as in tomatoes.
Strong SlNTRC knockout mutants had been then generated in tomatoes the use of CRISPR–Cas9-mediated gene enhancing. The homozygous mutant line skilled really extensive delays in vegetative expansion and an incapacity to endure fruit.
This learn about established a connection between H2O2 signaling and m6A methylation, highlighting the importance of redox law of m6A modifiers within the keep an eye on of fruit ripening.
Given the a very powerful function of RNA m6A methylation in more than a few organic processes, researchers speculate that this regulatory mechanism may additionally play a task in different developmental processes.
In abstract, this learn about now not most effective complements our working out of the molecular mechanisms underlying fruit ripening, but additionally provides new insights and techniques for bettering crop sorts.

Additional information:
Redox amendment of m6A demethylase SlALKBH2 in tomato regulates fruit ripening, Nature Vegetation (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41477-024-01893-8

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Hydrogen peroxide and the thriller of fruit ripening: ‘Sign messengers’ in crops (2025, January 10)
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