Root-Suppressed Phenotype of Tomato Rs Mutant is Seemingly Related to Expression of Root-Meristem-Specific Sulfotransferases

Kumari, A.; Gupta, P.; Santisree, P.; Pamei, I.; Valluri,, S.; Sharma, K.; Venkateswara Rao, K.; Shukla, S.; Nama, S.; Sreelakshmi, Y.; Sharma, R.

doi:10.64898/2026.01.03.697460

bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.01.03.697460

Root-Suppressed Phenotype of Tomato Rs Mutant is Seemingly Related to Expression of Root-Meristem-Specific Sulfotransferases

Kumari, A.·Gupta, P.·Santisree, P.·Pamei, I.·Valluri,, S.·Sharma, K.·Venkateswara Rao, K.·Shukla, S.·Nama, S.·Sreelakshmi, Y.·Sharma, R.

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Abstract

Root development and growth are governed by a complex interplay between a plants genetic makeup and its ambient environment. In this study, we characterised a radiation-induced root-suppressed (Rs) mutant mapped on chromosome 4 of tomato. Rs seedlings had a dwarf stature, and mature plants exhibited abnormalities in their leaves, flowers, and fruits. The partial rescue of seedling root elongation by H2S donors or L-cysteine hinted that its root defect is linked to disrupted sulfur metabolism. The metabolite profiling of organs revealed altered homeostasis, analogous to that of plants subjected to sulfur starvation. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the Rs genome was replete with genetic lesions; therefore, the pleiotropic morphological abnormalities likely emanate from mutations in other genes, including those related to sulfur. Among S-related genes, two sulfotransferase genes (Solyc04g028380 and Solyc04g028390) localised on chromosome 4 showed mutations in their promoters. The expression of both sulfotransferases is confined to the root meristem, suggesting a causal connection with the suppression of root growth. These sulfotransferases belonged to a distinct subset exclusively expressed in the root meristem and were distinct from the tyrosine sulfotransferase involved in the sulfation of root growth factors. Our study suggests that a sulfur-related module, other than tyrosine sulfotransferase, may regulate root development.

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Kumari, A., Gupta, P., Santisree, P., Pamei, I., Valluri,, S., Sharma, K., Venkateswara Rao, K., Shukla, S., Nama, S., Sreelakshmi, Y., Sharma, R.. 2026-01-03. Root-Suppressed Phenotype of Tomato Rs Mutant is Seemingly Related to Expression of Root-Meristem-Specific Sulfotransferases. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.01.03.697460

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