Molecular characterization of the transcription factor regulating ripening of tomato fruit

对调控番茄果实成熟的转录因子RIN的分子特性和RIN突变的影响进行了研究。结果表明，RIN是一种核定位蛋白，具有结合特定DNA基序和转录激活功能。通过RIN突变，编码蛋白失去了转录激活功能，但保持了DNA结合能力。这些结果表明，突变蛋白的功能缺陷导致了突变体对果实成熟的抑制以及RIN/RIN异源植株的部分抑制。

The transcription factor RIN, which regulates tomato fruit ripening, was examined for its molecular properties and for the effect of the rin mutation. The results revealed that RIN is a nuclear localized protein that has a ability to bind specific DNA motif and a transcription-activating function. By the rin mutation, the encoding protein lost its transcription-activating function but kept the DNA binding ability. These results suggest that the functional defect of the mutant protein cause the inhibition of the fruit ripening in the mutant and the partial inhibition in the RIN/rin hetero plant.