CIF1 — Solanum lycopersicum

Summary

Tomato gene SlVIF (CIF1, SOLYC12G099190.1) encodes a cell wall invertase inhibitor belonging to the C/VIF1 family, possessing a pectinesterase inhibitor domain and enzyme inhibitor activity. This gene is associated with phloem unloading, downregulation of enzyme activity, syngamy, sucrose and carbohydrate metabolism, ethylene anabolism, fruit and seed development, leaf senescence, cell death, and programmed cell death. It localizes to the plant-type cell wall and extracellular region. SlVIF is associated with fruit sweetness, ripening, size, weight, sugar and chlorophyll content, seed weight, salt tolerance, ABA response, and vacuolar invertase activity. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to seedling growth, seed germination, and Casparian strip formation, as well as cold-induced sweetening resistance.