Auxin-related MYB (CaSRM1) is involved in leaf shape development and reproductive growth in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Pepper is among the most economically important solanaceous vegetable crops worldwide. The shape and spatial distribution of leaves affect the light energy use efficiency of the plant, which strongly affects the yield and quality of pepper fruit. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying pepper leaf development are unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that the CaSRM1 gene regulates pepper leaf morphology. Virus-induced gene silencing was used to reveal that silencing of CaSRM1 caused development of uneven leaf margins and curling of pepper leaves. Overexpression of CaSRM1 in tomato led to leaf morphological defects, but was accompanied by improved vegetative growth and larger fruit. The expression level of CaSRM1 in mature tissues was higher than that in young tissues of pepper plant, and its expression was induced by auxin. Analysis of phytohormone contents and expression of leaf shape-related genes revealed that the auxin content showed an opposite trend to CaSRM1 expression, and certain leaf shape-related genes were affected by CaSRM1 expression, especially auxin-related genes. The results provide important information for functional research on other SRM1 genes and offer a novel perspective to the mechanism of plant leaf and fruit development.