FAD3 — Asparagus officinalis

Summary

A4U43_C07F4890, symbol AoFAD3 on asparagus chromosome 7, encodes a fatty acid desaturase domain-containing protein with multiple desaturase activities, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid desaturase activity, acyl-CoA 15-desaturase activity, and linolenate delta15 desaturase activity. The gene is associated with unsaturated fatty acid anabolism, response to thermal and cold stimuli, and cell cycle and cell death processes. It localizes to plastid, chloroplast, and ER membranes. AoFAD3 is linked to alpha-linolenic acid content, jasmonic acid content, photosynthetic rate, stomatal resistance, and responses to temperature stress, aphids, and disease. It has also been connected to seed growth and development, flower development, and salt tolerance. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to aphid resistance, cold tolerance, and defense responses.