CEP1 — Asparagus officinalis

Summary

A4U43_C05F4880, designated AoCEP1 on asparagus chromosome 5, encodes a papain-like cysteine peptidase (thiol endopeptidase) with a peptidase C1A domain and a proteinase-activated receptor binding function. The gene is associated with programmed cell death, floral organ senescence, anther wall tapetum development, and proteolysis. It is linked to responses to nutrient levels, sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose), and hormones including cytokinin, gibberellin, ethylene, auxin, and brassinosteroid-mediated signalling. AoCEP1 has been associated with defence responses to fungi, UV-B, and NO storage. Localisation evidence places the product in the senescence-associated vacuole, lysosome, protein storage vacuole, ER lumen, vacuole, plant-type cell wall, and Golgi complex. Associations with agronomic traits include nitrate uptake, photosynthetic rate, leaf composition, seedling growth, organ identity, leaf senescence, shoot and root growth, seed yield, drought tolerance, stomatal closure, nitrogen remobilization, pollen development and fertility, insect resistance, and programmed cell death.