Project Number: 1265-21000-140-03
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 29, 2006
End Date: Jan 31, 2011

Objective:
The major objective is to characterize key genomic sequences that are associated with enhancement of nutritional quality in tomato fruit and determine which protein factors are involved.

Approach:
Transgenic tomato fruit have been developed in which the levels of essential nutritional factors such as choline, lycopene, and amino acids are significantly enhanced. Genomic fragments housing key genes in a cluster have been isolated and sequenced. We will analyze the cis elements for functionality with respect to transcriptional factors that respond differentially to polyamines, methyl jasmonate, and ethylene. Chimeric gene fusions will be constructed between individual reporters such as GUS/GFP/ luciferase and the full as well as deleted promoter sequences. Particle bombardment of tomato pericarp will be used to analyze transient expression. In vitro gel retardation experiments using the promoter sequences will be carried out to isolate and identify trans-acting protein factors.