Endogenous melatonin gene <i>SlCOMT1</i> involved in pollen development in tomato

Anther development in plants involves the precise regulation of numerous genes. This study delves into the role of endogenous melatonin in tomato anther development, utilizing tomato plants with a knockout of the key melatonin biosynthesis gene SlCOMT1 (slcomt1). The research revealed that SlCOMT1 is highly expressed in the anthers, and slcomt1 plants exhibited significantly reduced pollen viability and germination compared to WT plants, with reductions of approximately 34.7% and 34.3%, respectively. Notably, pollen from slcomt1 plants displayed anomalies, including partial deformities and adhesion. In addition, the germination status of slcomt1 seeds on the fifth day was lower compared to that of WT plants, and the expression of pollen development-related genes in slcomt1 plants was significantly inhibited to varying degrees. This study underscores the pivotal role of endogenous melatonin in tomato anther development, paving the way for deeper investigations into the biological function of SlCOMT1. These findings hold great promise for shedding light on further research and applications of melatonin in the agricultural field.