Auxin Response Factor 14 (SlARF14) Regulates Leaf Morphological Development and Photosynthesis of Solanum lycopersicum

Auxin response factors (ARFs) are a class of transcription factors that are implicated in auxin-mediated responses. In this study, we determined that SlARF14, which lacks domains III and IV, is differentially expressed in leaf organs. Down-regulation of SlARF14 using RNA interference indicated that this gene plays an important role in leaf morphological development and photosynthesis. The leaves of SlARF14-RNAi tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) lines were dark green and thick and they exhibited reduced lobes, causing a Potato Leaf Tomato-like appearance. Moreover, we observed a lateral development trend in the transformants. On the other hand, down-regulation of SlARF14 stimulated photosynthetic activity at the early stage of development, which appears to be related with increased Rubisco enzyme activity. The altered expression levels of RBCL, RBCS and CAB reflect this notion. In addition, the expression analysis of ARFs and Aux/IAAs supported the independent and specific regulation of SlARF14 in leaf morphological development and photosynthesis. (C) 2020 Friends Science Publishers