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1.
Molecular and Hormonal Mechanisms Regulating Fleshy Fruit Ripening.
Li, S, Chen, K, Grierson, D
Cells. 2021;(5)
Abstract
This article focuses on the molecular and hormonal mechanisms underlying the control of fleshy fruit ripening and quality. Recent research on tomato shows that ethylene, acting through transcription factors, is responsible for the initiation of tomato ripening. Several other hormones, including abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA) and brassinosteroids (BR), promote ripening by upregulating ethylene biosynthesis genes in different fruits. Changes to histone marks and DNA methylation are associated with the activation of ripening genes and are necessary for ripening initiation. Light, detected by different photoreceptors and operating through ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5(HY5), also modulates ripening. Re-evaluation of the roles of 'master regulators' indicates that MADS-RIN, NAC-NOR, Nor-like1 and other MADS and NAC genes, together with ethylene, promote the full expression of genes required for further ethylene synthesis and change in colour, flavour, texture and progression of ripening. Several different types of non-coding RNAs are involved in regulating expression of ripening genes, but further clarification of their diverse mechanisms of action is required. We discuss a model that integrates the main hormonal and genetic regulatory interactions governing the ripening of tomato fruit and consider variations in ripening regulatory circuits that operate in other fruits.
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2.
New Insights into Molecular Mechanism behind Anti-Cancer Activities of Lycopene.
Puah, BP, Jalil, J, Attiq, A, Kamisah, Y
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2021;(13)
Abstract
Lycopene is a well-known compound found commonly in tomatoes which brings wide range of health benefits against cardiovascular diseases and cancers. From an anti-cancer perspective, lycopene is often associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer and people often look for it as a dietary supplement which may help to prevent cancer. Previous scientific evidence exhibited that the anti-cancer activity of lycopene relies on its ability to suppress oncogene expressions and induce proapoptotic pathways. To further explore the real potential of lycopene in cancer prevention, this review discusses the new insights and perspectives on the anti-cancer activities of lycopene which could help to drive new direction for research. The relationship between inflammation and cancer is being highlighted, whereby lycopene suppresses cancer via resolution of inflammation are also discussed herein. The immune system was found to be a part of the anti-cancer system of lycopene as it modulates immune cells to suppress tumor growth and progression. Lycopene, which is under the family of carotenoids, was found to play special role in suppressing lung cancer.
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3.
The steroidal alkaloids α-tomatine and tomatidine: Panorama of their mode of action and pharmacological properties.
Bailly, C
Steroids. 2021;:108933
Abstract
The steroidal glycoalkaloid α-tomatine (αTM) and its aglycone tomatidine (TD) are abundant in the skin of unripe green tomato and present in tomato leaves and flowers. They mainly serve as defensive agents to protect the plant against infections by insects, bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi. In addition, the two products display a range of pharmacological properties potentially useful to treat various human diseases. We have analyzed all known pharmacological activities of αTM and TD, and the corresponding molecular targets and pathways impacted by these two steroidal alkaloids. In experimental models, αTM displays anticancer effects, particularly strong against androgen-independent prostate cancer, as well as robust antifungal effects. αTM is a potent cholesterol binder, useful as a vaccine adjuvant to improve delivery of protein antigens or therapeutic oligonucleotides. TD is a much less cytotoxic compound, able to restrict the spread of certain viruses (such as dengue, chikungunya and porcine epidemic diarrhea viruses) and to provide cardio and neuro-protective effects toward human cells. Both αTM and TD exhibit marked anti-inflammatory activities. They proceed through multiple signaling pathways and protein targets, including the sterol C24 methyltransferase Erg6 and vitamin D receptor, both directly targeted by TD. αTM is a powerful regulator of the NFkB/ERK signaling pathway implicated in various diseases. Collectively, the analysis shed light on the multitargeted action of αTM/TD and their usefulness as chemo-preventive or chemotherapeutic agents. A novel medicinal application for αTM is proposed.
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4.
Application of Genome Editing in Tomato Breeding: Mechanisms, Advances, and Prospects.
Salava, H, Thula, S, Mohan, V, Kumar, R, Maghuly, F
International journal of molecular sciences. 2021;(2)
Abstract
Plants regularly face the changing climatic conditions that cause biotic and abiotic stress responses. The abiotic stresses are the primary constraints affecting crop yield and nutritional quality in many crop plants. The advances in genome sequencing and high-throughput approaches have enabled the researchers to use genome editing tools for the functional characterization of many genes useful for crop improvement. The present review focuses on the genome editing tools for improving many traits such as disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, yield, quality, and nutritional aspects of tomato. Many candidate genes conferring tolerance to abiotic stresses such as heat, cold, drought, and salinity stress have been successfully manipulated by gene modification and editing techniques such as RNA interference, insertional mutagenesis, and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR/Cas9). In this regard, the genome editing tools such as CRISPR/Cas9, which is a fast and efficient technology that can be exploited to explore the genetic resources for the improvement of tomato and other crop plants in terms of stress tolerance and nutritional quality. The review presents examples of gene editing responsible for conferring both biotic and abiotic stresses in tomato simultaneously. The literature on using this powerful technology to improve fruit quality, yield, and nutritional aspects in tomato is highlighted. Finally, the prospects and challenges of genome editing, public and political acceptance in tomato are discussed.
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5.
Evidence of antiplatelet aggregation effects from the consumption of tomato products, according to EFSA health claim requirements.
Cámara, M, Fernández-Ruiz, V, Sánchez-Mata, MC, Domínguez Díaz, L, Kardinaal, A, van Lieshout, M
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. 2020;(9):1515-1522
Abstract
The beneficial effect of fresh tomatoes or processed tomato products on platelet aggregation depends on the presence of bioactive compounds in these products, in sufficient quantities, to produce a relevant physiological effect, when consumed as part of a normal diet. This work is focused on reviewing the development on tomato products bioactive compounds, particularly with reference to its potential biological activity with beneficial effect on the prevention of platelet aggregation.The most relevant studies found show that all bioactive compounds found in Water-soluble tomato concentrate are in tomato fruit and other tomato products, and there is enough evidence of their beneficial effects. According to the European Food Safety Authority requirements, further intervention studies (human clinical trials) using valid markers should be performed in order to demonstrate the beneficial effects of tomato products as consumer products (paste, puree, sauce or juice) on platelet aggregation. Our PubMed review results support the development of promising nutritional strategies involving tomatoes and tomato products to tackle cardiovascular disease as antiplatelet aggregation.
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6.
How Hormones and MADS-Box Transcription Factors Are Involved in Controlling Fruit Set and Parthenocarpy in Tomato.
Molesini, B, Dusi, V, Pennisi, F, Pandolfini, T
Genes. 2020;(12)
Abstract
Fruit set is the earliest phase of fruit growth and represents the onset of ovary growth after successful fertilization. In parthenocarpy, fruit formation is less affected by environmental factors because it occurs in the absence of pollination and fertilization, making parthenocarpy a highly desired agronomic trait. Elucidating the genetic program controlling parthenocarpy, and more generally fruit set, may have important implications in agriculture, considering the need for crops to be adaptable to climate changes. Several phytohormones play an important role in the transition from flower to fruit. Further complexity emerges from functional analysis of floral homeotic genes. Some homeotic MADS-box genes are implicated in fruit growth and development, displaying an expression pattern commonly observed for ovary growth repressors. Here, we provide an overview of recent discoveries on the molecular regulatory gene network underlying fruit set in tomato, the model organism for fleshy fruit development due to the many genetic and genomic resources available. We describe how the genetic modification of components of this network can cause parthenocarpy, discussing the contribution of hormonal signals and MADS-box transcription factors.
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7.
Potential Role of Lycopene in the Prevention of Postmenopausal Bone Loss: Evidence from Molecular to Clinical Studies.
Walallawita, US, Wolber, FM, Ziv-Gal, A, Kruger, MC, Heyes, JA
International journal of molecular sciences. 2020;(19)
Abstract
Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease characterized by reduced bone mineral density, which affects the quality of life of the aging population. Furthermore, disruption of bone microarchitecture and the alteration of non-collagenous protein in bones lead to higher fracture risk. This is most common in postmenopausal women. Certain medications are being used for the treatment of osteoporosis; however, these may be accompanied by undesirable side effects. Phytochemicals from fruits and vegetables are a source of micronutrients for the maintenance of bone health. Among them, lycopene has recently been shown to have a potential protective effect against bone loss. Lycopene is a lipid-soluble carotenoid that exists in both all-trans and cis-configurations in nature. Tomato and tomato products are rich sources of lycopene. Several human epidemiological studies, supplemented by in vivo and in vitro studies, have shown decreased bone loss following the consumption of lycopene/tomato. However, there are still limited studies that have evaluated the effect of lycopene on the prevention of bone loss in postmenopausal women. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the relevant literature on the potential impact of lycopene on postmenopausal bone loss with molecular and clinical evidence, including an overview of bone biology and the pathophysiology of osteoporosis.
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8.
Progress on Understanding Transcriptional Regulation of Chloroplast Development in Fleshy Fruit.
Jia, T, Cheng, Y, Khan, I, Zhao, X, Gu, T, Hu, X
International journal of molecular sciences. 2020;(18)
Abstract
Edible fleshy fruits are important food sources in the human diet. Their yield and nutritional quality have long been considered as breeding targets for improvement. Various developing fleshy fruits with functional chloroplasts are capable of photosynthesis and contribute to fruit photosynthate, leading to the accumulation of metabolites associated with nutritional quality in ripe fruit. Although tomato high-pigment mutants with dark-green fruits have been isolated for more than 100 years, our understanding of the mechanism of chloroplast development in fleshy fruit remain poor. During the past few years, several transcription factors that regulate chloroplast development in fleshy fruit were identified through map-based cloning. In addition, substantial progress has been made in elucidating the mechanisms that how these transcription factors regulate chloroplast development. This review provides a summary and update on this progress, with a framework for further investigations of the multifaceted and hierarchical regulation of chloroplast development in fleshy fruit.
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9.
Bioactive Compounds Extracted from Tomato Processing by-Products as a Source of Valuable Nutrients.
Szabo, K, Cătoi, AF, Vodnar, DC
Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands). 2018;(4):268-277
Abstract
Alongside paper, plastic, metal and glass, an important segment in the recycling area is represented by the wastes of different vegetal processing industries. These by-products gained interest lately, in the context of food waste prevention and growing population number. In the tomato processing industry approximately, 8.5 million tons of wastes are generated globally, each year. The present study highlights the valuable bioactive constituents as lycopene, beta-carotene, glutamic acid or aspartic acid from the by-products of tomato processing industries, which can be revalorized as incorporated nutrients in functional foods. Tomato consumption is directly associated with the prevention of different chronic diseases and carcinogenesis, however the carotenoids bioavailability is a key factor in this process. Further, fiber content together with protein content of tomato seeds and benefits of their consumption are emphasized. Value-added food products obtained by tomato peels or seeds addition are exemplified in this review (bakery, meat products, pasta and noodles, dairy and oil products as well as jams and functional ice cream), in order to embrace next prototypes that can transform vegetal by-products in functional nutrients.
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10.
Vertical and Horizontal Transmission of Pospiviroids.
Matsushita, Y, Yanagisawa, H, Sano, T
Viruses. 2018;(12)
Abstract
Viroids are highly structured, single-stranded, non-protein-coding circular RNA pathogens. Some viroids are vertically transmitted through both viroid-infected ovule and pollen. For example, potato spindle tuber viroid, a species that belongs to Pospiviroidae family, is delivered to the embryo through the ovule or pollen during the development of reproductive tissues before embryogenesis. In addition, some of Pospiviroidae are also horizontally transmitted by pollen. Tomato planta macho viroid in pollen infects to the ovary from pollen tube during pollen tube elongation and eventually causes systemic infection, resulting in the establishment of horizontal transmission. Furthermore, fertilization is not required to accomplish the horizontal transmission. In this review, we will overview the recent research progress in vertical and horizontal transmission of viroids, mainly by focusing on histopathological studies, and also discuss the impact of seed transmission on viroid dissemination and seed health.