The Ste20 Homologue FvM4K1 Regulates Organ Size via Hippo Signalling Pathway in Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca).

ABSTRACT: Strawberry fruit size is critical for its marketability. However, organ size control is a complex process regulated by various signalling pathways. In animals, the Hippo signalling pathway acts as a negative regulator of organ size, with Ste20 kinase being a key component. Mutation in Ste20 causes excessive cell proliferation and enlarged organs. In this study, FvM4K1, a Ste20-like kinase from woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca), is identified. FvM4K1 partially restores defects in a yeast Ste20 mutant ste20Δ and fully rescues growth in Arabidopsis mutant atsik1-4 lacking its Ste20 homologue, AtSIK1, underscoring its functional conservation. Downregulation of FvM4K1 by RNAi in woodland strawberry leads to smaller plants and fruits resulting from reduced cell size and number, while overexpr

SUBMITTER: Gu S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12576436 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature