FIT — Solanum lycopersicum

Summary

SlFIT (SOLYC06G051550.4) encodes a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor that acts as a transcriptional co-regulator with DNA-binding, chromatin-binding, and protein-dimerization activities. Localised to the nucleus and cytoplasm, SlFIT is associated with the regulation of iron transport, cellular response to iron starvation, acid secretion, and pH reduction. It is linked to numerous agronomic traits including iron concentration, cadmium concentration, zinc sensitivity, sulfur sensitivity, fruit ripening, fruit weight, fruit firmness, fruit shape, seed weight, seed yield, seed longevity, root hair length, lateral root length, shoot growth angle, leaf position, leaf chlorosis, leaf curling, anther morphology, trichome morphology, lignin biosynthesis, phosphorus uptake, and aluminium response. SlFIT is also associated with cellulose biosynthesis, freezing tolerance, disease resistance, circadian rhythm, and stress responses. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to iron uptake, iron deficiency response, and salt tolerance.