Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses Provide Insights into the Upregulation of Fatty Acid and Phospholipid Metabolism in Tomato Fruit under Drought Stress

Transcriptome and
metabolome analysis in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruits cultivated under drought
conditions showed that drought stress promoted fatty acid synthesis
and increased the content of fatty acids in fruits. The accumulation
of some phospholipids composed of palmitic acid and oleic acid also
was significantly increased, especially in seeds. Moreover, inositol,
which is a component of cell membranes and cell walls, was increased
through the activity of the myoinositol monophosphatase 1-mediated
pathway. In mature fruits, the levels of metabolic regulators such
as β-alanine and 4-aminobutyric acid were elevated. These results
showed that these compounds are drought-responsive and enhance drought
tolerance and subsequently they could enhance the nutritional value
and health benefits of tomato fruit.