The AlkB Homolog SlALKBH10B Negatively Affects Drought and Salt Tolerance in .

ALKBH proteins, the homologs of AlkB dioxygenase, constitute a single-protein repair system that safeguards cellular DNA and RNA against the harmful effects of alkylating agents. ALKBH10B, the first discovered -methyladenosine (mA) demethylase in Arabidopsis (), has been shown to regulate plant growth, development, and stress responses. However, until now, the functional role of the plant ALKBH10B has solely been reported in arabidopsis, cotton, and poplar, leaving its functional implications in other plant species shrouded in mystery. In this study, we identified the AlkB homolog SlALKBH10B in tomato () through phylogenetic and gene expression analyses. exhibited a wide range of expression patterns and was induced by exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) and abiotic stresses. By employing CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing techniques to knock out , we observed an increased sensitivity of mutants to ABA treatment and upregulation of gene expression related to ABA synthesis and response. Furthermore, the mutants displayed an enhanced tolerance to drought and salt stress, characterized by higher water retention, accumulation of photosynthetic products, proline accumulation, and lower levels of reactive oxygen species and cellular damage. Collectively, these findings provide insights into the negative impact of on drought and salt tolerance in tomato plant, expanding our understanding of the biological functionality of .