BEL transcription factors in prominent Solanaceae crops: the missing pieces of the jigsaw in plant development
Abstract
The proper development of organs that plants use for reproduction, like fruits or tubers, is crucial for the survival and competitiveness of the species and thus subject to strict regulations. Interestingly, the controls of potato (Solanum tuberosum) tuber and tomato (S. lycopersicum) fruit development use common mechanisms, including the action of the BEL transcription factors (TFs).
Although more than ten BEL genes have been identified in either genome, only a few of them have been characterized. The review summarizes knowledge of BEL TFs' roles in these closely related Solanaceae species, focusing on those that are essential for tuberization in potato, namely StBEL5, StBEL11 and StBEL29, and for fruit development in tomato - SlBEL11, SlBL2 and SIBL4.
Comprehension of the roles of individual BEL TFs, however, is not yet sufficient. Different levels of understanding of important characteristics are described, such as BEL transcript accumulation patterns, their mobility, BEL protein interaction with KNOX partners, subcellular localisation, and their target genes during initiation and development of the organs in question.
A comparison of the knowledge on BEL TFs and their mechanisms of action in potato and tomato may provide inspiration for faster progress in the study of both models through the exchange of information and ideas. Both crops are extremely important for human nutrition.
In addition, their production is likely to be threatened by the upcoming climate change, so there is a particular need for breeding using a deep knowledge of control mechanisms.