Bioinformatics analysis of the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) methylesterase gene family

Background: Methylesterases (MESs) are a class of enzymes responsible for the demethylation of methylated compounds in plants, play a vital role in plant growth and development. However, studies on MES enzymes in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) are limited. Results: This study systematically identified MES genes in tomatoes for the first time and studied their physicochemical properties, evolutionary relationships, and expression patterns. Sixteen Solanum lycopersicum methylesterase (SlMES) genes were identified through comprehensive bioinformatics analysis and were categorized into three subfamilies. Members of the same subfamily exhibited similar gene structures, structural domains, and conserved motifs. Chromosomal analysis revealed an uneven distribution of SlMESs across the five chromosomes, with evidence of gene duplication. Cis-acting element analyses suggested that the SlMES family may have important regulatory functions in tomato growth, development, and stress responses. Among them, Solyc02g065260 was further examined for its role in tomato fruit ripening and stress responses. Its tissue-specific expression patterns, dynamic expression during fruit ripening, and responses to pathogens, low temperatures, and hormones, such as methyl jasmonate (MeJA), methyl salicylate (MeSA), abscisic acid (ABA), and ethylene (ET), were analyzed. The results provided further evidence towards understanding the roles of the SlMES family in the tomatoes. Conclusions: The results established a theoretical foundation for future investigations into the functional characterization of MES genes during tomato growth and development.