Abstract
BACKGROUND: TCP proteins are plant specific transcription factors that play important roles in plant growth and development. Despite the known significance of these transcription factors in general plant development, their specific role in fruit growth remains largely uncharted. Therefore, this study explores the potential role of TCP transcription factors in the growth and development of sweet cherry fruits. RESULTS: Thirteen members of the PavTCP family were identified within the sweet cherry plant, with two, PavTCP1 and PavTCP4, found to contain potential target sites for Pav-miR159, Pav-miR139a, and Pav-miR139b-3p. Analyses of cis-acting elements and Arabidopsis homology prediction analyses that the PavTCP family comprises many light-responsive elements. Homologs of PavTCP1 and PavTCP3 in Arabidopsis TCP proteins were found to be crucial to light responses. Shading experiments showed distinct correlation patterns between PavTCP1, 2, and 3 and total anthocyanins, soluble sugars, and soluble solids in sweet cherry fruits. These observations suggest that these genes may contribute significantly to sweet cherry light responses. In particular, PavTCP1 could play a key role, potentially mediated through Pav-miR159, Pav-miR139a, and Pav-miR139b-3p. CONCLUSION: This study is the first to unveil the potential function of TCP transcription factors in the light responses of sweet cherry fruits, paving the way for future investigations into the role of this transcription factor family in plant fruit development.