Unveiling the Role of SlRNC1 in Chloroplast Development and Global Gene Regulation in Tomato Plants.

, a plant-specific gene, is known for its involvement in splicing group II introns within maize chloroplast. However, its role in chloroplast development and global gene expression remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of in chloroplast development and identify the genes that mediate its function in the development of entire tomato plants. Consistent with findings in maize, silencing induced dwarfism and leaf whitening in tomato plants. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that the RNC1 protein is localized to both the nucleus and cytoplasm, including the stress granule and chloroplasts. Electron microscopic examination of tomato leaf transverse sections exposed significant disruptions in the spatial arrangement of the thylakoid network upon silencing, crucial for efficient light energy capture and conversion into chemical energy. Transcriptome analysis suggested that silencing potentially impacts tomato plant development through genes associated with all three categories (biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions). Overall, our findings contribute to a better understanding of the critical role of in chloroplast development and its significance in plant physiology.