CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated mutagenesis of lncRNA1459 alters tomato fruit ripening

SUMMARY With the development of high‐throughput sequencing, many long non‐coding RNA s (lnc RNA s) have been found to play important roles in diverse biological processes. However, the biological functions of most plant lnc RNA s are still unknown. We have previously discovered a tomato ripening‐related lnc RNA , lnc RNA 1459 . Here, we cloned the full‐length lnc RNA 1459 , giving two transcript isoforms. In addition, lnc RNA 1459 exhibited a specific location in the nucleus. Furthermore, in order to fully identify the function of lnc RNA 1459 in tomato ripening, loss‐of‐function mutants of lnc RNA 1459 were developed using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats ( CRISPR )/‐associated protein 9 (Cas9)‐induced genome editing technology. Compared with wild‐type fruits, the tomato ripening process was significantly repressed in lnc RNA 1459 mutants. Ethylene production and lycopene accumulation were largely repressed in lnc RNA 1459 mutants. Additionally, genes related to ethylene and carotenoid biosynthesis were distinctly downregulated in lnc RNA 1459 mutants compared with wild‐type fruits. Moreover, expression of numerous ripening‐related genes was changed significantly when lnc RNA 1459 was knocked out. Expression of potential tomato ripening‐related lnc RNA s was also specifically changed after knocking out lnc RNA 1459 . Taken together, these results provide insight into the role of lnc RNA 1459 in tomato fruit ripening.