Tiny Zinc-Finger Protein Key to Giant Tomatoes
October 29, 2025| |
A recent study has identified a tiny zinc-finger protein, named SlKNU, that acts as the master regulator of tomato fruit size. This protein functions as a molecular "brake," directly shutting down key stem cell genes to terminate floral meristem growth at the precise moment that determines the fruit's final dimensions.
To prove its function, researchers utilized CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to create SlKNU knockout mutants. By disabling this gene, the molecular brake was removed, resulting in enlarged floral meristems, an increased number of floral organs, and significantly larger tomatoes with more locules than normal plants.
This discovery highlights how genetic precision, enabled by CRISPR technology, can be used to fine-tune crop traits, offering new opportunities for breeders to develop high-yield, high-quality tomato varieties.
For more details, read the article in News Wise.
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