ARA8 — Arabidopsis thaliana

Summary

AT5G44070 (ARA8/CAD1/PCS1) in Arabidopsis thaliana encodes a phytochelatin synthase (EC 2.3.2.15) with glutathione S-conjugate carboxypeptidase activity, belonging to the PCS-like family. The enzyme is associated with heavy metal detoxification, including cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and phenylmercury tolerance, as well as metal accumulation and phytochelatin synthesis. It has been linked to stem lignification, callose deposition, pathogen resistance, and cell death. Ontology annotations connect the gene to arsenite transport, response to cesium and arsenic, indole glucosinolate metabolism, camalexin biosynthesis, and lignin biosynthesis. The protein localizes to the plastid, cytosol, and nucleus. Associations with traits such as cadmium concentration, zinc sensitivity, proline content, root length, chlorophyll content, and disease tolerance have been noted. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to drought tolerance, lignin content, and salt tolerance.