Using gene editing techniques, tomatoes are rich in antioxidant and cancer-fighting carotenoids

Original title: Using gene editing technology, tomatoes are rich in antioxidant and cancer-fighting carotenoids
whether fresh, cooked, made into sauces, dried or juiced, in short, tomatoes (tomatoes) are arguably one of the most widely used vegetables (fruits) in the world, no matter which way they are eaten.
there are currently more than 10,000 varieties of tomatoes worldwide, in all sizes, shapes and colors. Interestingly, however, there is little genetic diversity between modern tomato varieties. This lack of diversity, coupled with the fact that many of the symptoms are controlled by multiple genes, makes improving yield and quality a major challenge for tomato breeding experts.
a recent study published in Scientific Reports, a team led by Tsukiki Tsukiyama University in Japan explained how modern gene-editing techniques can help tomato breeders.
Hiroshi Ezura, who co-authored the study, said: "Tomatoes are the first genetically modified food to be approved for human consumption. However, many early genetically modified varieties contained genes from other species, raising safety concerns among consumers. Coupled with the fact that most GM varieties have not improved significantly in quality, tomato breeding has largely moved away from GM.
Unlike traditional genetic modification, modern gene
-editing techniques do not leave any traces in the genome and can mimic natural variations by introducing only subtle changes in the primary gene.
contains relatively high levels of carotenoids in tomatoes. Carotenoids are preludes to vitamin A and have antioxidant and anti-cancer properties, so they are extremely important for human nutrition. Previously, there were some natural mutations that increased the accumulation of lycoprotein, but the prospect of introducing it into commercial varieties was complex and time-consuming.
, the team led by Tsukiki has begun to use gene editing techniques to replicate genetic mutations in tomatoes that accumulate carotenoids.
Ezura explained: "Previously, single nucleotide mutations in individual tomato genes have been achieved using Target-AID gene editing techniques. However, we have designed a system that can simultaneously alter the three genes associated with carotenoid accumulation. The
10 of the 12 tomato strains produced contain mutations in all three groups of target genes. Further examination revealed high levels of carotenoids, especially lycoprotein, in genetically edited plants.Professor
Ezura explained: "This suggests that the use of gene-editing techniques can improve the quality traits of multigene plants and provide a range of options to increase yields, shelf life, nutritional content and disease resistance of different crops, which have clear benefits for both human health and the environment."
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