How a Single Gene Keeps Melon Fruits in Check

How a Single Gene Keeps Melon Fruits in Check

Fruit shape is a defining trait that influences both crop quality and consumer preference, yet its genetic control remains poorly understood in many fruit crops. In this study, researchers uncovered a key regulatory gene that acts as a molecular “brake” on fruit elongation in melon. By integrating large-scale genetic association analyses with functional experiments, the work reveals how variation in a single transcription factor can reshape fruit