CaZAT5 delays the flowering time in tomato and affects pollen viability and anther dehiscence.

ABSTRACT: Male sterility (MS) plays a crucial role in plant reproduction and hybrid breeding as it is associated with pollen viability and release. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing anther dehiscence in peppers remain poorly characterized. Thus, this study identified the pepper C2H2 family transcription factor CaZAT5 and characterized its function. The results indicated that CaZAT5 represses transcriptional activity and is predominantly expressed during pepper flower development. Silencing CaZAT5 in pepper led to early flowering, whereas its overexpression (OE) in tomato delayed flowering. Moreover, CaZAT5 negatively regulated vegetative growth by suppressing CaSOC1 expression, thereby affecting pollen morphology and viability. Histological analyses revealed that the anthers of CaZAT5-OE

SUBMITTER: Xiao J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12788657 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature