CIF1 — Solanum lycopersicum

Summary

SlCIF1 (SOLYC12G099210.2) encodes a protein with an invertase/methylesterase inhibitor domain and pectinesterase inhibitor domain, classified as an enzyme inhibitor. In tomato, it is associated with phloem unloading, fruit and seed development, leaf senescence, programmed cell death, carbohydrate and sucrose metabolism, and downregulation of enzyme activity. The protein localizes to the plant-type cell wall and extracellular region. SlCIF1 has been linked to fruit sweetness, fruit weight, seed weight, sugar content, and chlorophyll content, as well as salt tolerance, ABA response, vacuolar invertase activity, and sugar accumulation. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to seedling growth, seed germination, and Casparian strip formation, as well as cold-induced sweetening resistance.