Award details

403g: Exploitation of the gene at the Cnr locus in tomato to dissect the molecular basis of cell adhesion and texture in fleshy fruits

Reference	BBS/E/H/00032649
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Graham Seymour
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	University of Warwick
Department	Warwick HRI
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	427,900
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/2003
End date	31/03/2005
Duration	24 months

Abstract

Cell adhesion is the single most important factor determining food mechanical properties. Juiciness plant products reflecting strong cell wall contacts and therefore bursting of cells on first bite, while mealiness results from ready separation of cells in the tissue without cell breakage and juice release. The degree of cell separation therefore has a critical impact on texture, a critical quality discriminator for fruit and vegetable products. The proteins that control the degree of cell adhesion and softening in fleshy fruits, such as those regulating the relevant hydolytic enzymes, have so far eluded identification. The Cnr mutation in tomato results in ripe fruit where the pericarp cells remain colourless and show altered cell adhesion and texture properties. Revealing the normal function of the gene at the Cnr locus will provide a unique opportunity to dissect the molecular basis of cell adhesion and fruit texture. The key objectives of the project are to complete the cloning of the gene at the Cnr locus, establish whether the CNR gene has a generic role in cell separation in fruit bearing species and elucidate steps in the regulatory network linking CNR gene expression to cell separation and texture changes.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

I accept the terms and conditions of use (opens in new window)

export PDF file

back to list new search