The lectin receptor-like kinase SILecRLK45 acts as a negative regulator of ethylene to inhibit fruit ripening in tomato

Fruit ripening is a complex developmental process governed by intricate hormonal networks, among which ethylene serves as the master regulator in climacteric fruits such as tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Lectin receptor-like kinases (LecRLKs) have emerged as key players in plant development and stress responses; however, their specific functions in fruit ripening remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to elucidate the regulatory role of a tomato LecRLK, designated SILecRLK45, in fruit ripening and ethylene signaling. Through multi-omics integration (transcriptomics and phosphoproteomics), transgenic approaches, and comprehensive physiological phenotyping, SlLecRLK45-silenced and overexpression lines were generated and functionally characterized. The results demonstrated that SlLecRLK45 functions as a negative regulator of tomato fruit ripening. Ethylene biosynthesis was significantly suppressed by SlLecRLK45 through of key genes encoding 1-aminocyclopropane-1- carboxylic acid synthase 3 (ACS3) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase 3 (ACO3). Additionally, SlLecRLK45 modulated ethylene signaling by altering the phosphorylation status of ethylene insensitive 2 (SlEIN2) and modulating the expression of ethylene response factors (ERFs), thereby attenuating ethylene sensitivity-a phenotype confirmed by the dampened triple response observed in etiolated seedlings. Beyond ethylene, SlLecRLK45 coordinated ripening progression through the regulation of abscisic acid metabolism and jasmonic acid pathways. Furthermore, SlLecRLK45 influenced fruit softening by modulating the expression of cell wall-modifying genes. Collectively, this study establish SlLecRLK45 as a central negative regulator of tomato ripening that fine-tunes the ethylene pathway while integrating multiple hormonal signals. These findings expand the current understanding of the regulatory networks governing fruit maturation and identifies SlLecRLK45 as a promising molecular target for the precise manipulation of ripening traits through breeding strategies.