Project Number: 5325-41440-004-01
Project Type: Trust

Start Date: May 01, 2001
End Date: Apr 30, 2005

Objective:
Determine key genes that are activated to enhance lycopene biosynthesis in VFNT cherry tomato fruit grown in vitro at 16-23 degrees C. Determine the compound(s) that is induced/released by the cool growth temperature that triggers activation of lycopene biosynthesis.

Approach:
VFNT cherry tomato fruit grown in vitro at 16-23 degrees C. produce higher concentrations of lycopene than fruit cultured at 28 degrees C or greenhouse-grown fruit. At these temperatures tomato sepals are transformed into fruit tissue. We will look for differences in gene activity during early development and during the ripening process in fruit and sepals cultured at the two temperatures, sampling at several points during development, by microarray analysis and/or RNA fingerprinting. Investigate the possibility Differential display of soluble proteins from sepal culture at the two temperatures or changes in protein profile after transfer from 16 to 28 degrees C, followed by isolation and characterization of protein to investigate the possibility of the involvement of a smaller molecule. Compare soluble protein in early samples (1-5 days after culture) from explants cultured at 16 and 28 degrees C. Documents CRADA with Torrey Mesa Research Institute, Syngenta, Genomics Research & Technology. Formerly 5325-21430-009-01T (8/04).

Project Team

Ishida, Betty

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002   FY 2001

Related National Programs

Plant, Microbial & Insect Genetic Res., Genomics, & Genetic Improv. I (301)   Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products (306)