Galactinol synthase 2 influences the metabolism of chlorophyll, carotenoids, and ethylene in tomato fruits.

This article focuses on the role of galactinol synthase 2 (GolS2) in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit development, particularly its impact on pigment metabolism and fruit ripening. Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to create gols2 mutants, the study found that loss of GolS2 function led to uniformly light-green fruits lacking the typical dark-green shoulder, reduced chlorophyll accumulation and chloroplast development, and accelerated fruit ripening. Molecular analyses revealed that GolS2 influences the expression of genes involved in chlorophyll synthesis, chloroplast development, carotenoid biosynthesis, and ethylene metabolism, suggesting GolS2 acts as a regulator of pigment accumulation and ripening processes. Additionally, the absence of galactinol, the product of GolS2, in mutant ovaries correlated with altered sugar metabolism and may indicate a signaling role in fruit development.