CEP1 — Asparagus officinalis

Summary

A4U43_C09F9150 (CEP1) in asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) on chromosome 9 encodes a papain-like cysteine protease with thiol endopeptidase activity, belonging to the peptidase C1A family. The gene is associated with programmed cell death involved in cell development, floral organ senescence, anther wall tapetum development, and proteolysis. It is linked to responses to nutrient levels, sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose), and hormones (cytokinin, ethylene, auxin, brassinosteroid), as well as UV-B and defence response to fungi. Localisation evidence connects the product to senescence-associated vacuoles, protein storage vacuoles, lysosomes, and the ER lumen. Associations with agronomic traits include leaf senescence, seed yield, nitrogen remobilization, drought tolerance, stomatal closure, pollen development and fertility, root and shoot growth, and insect resistance. Related genes in other species link the family to developmental senescence, powdery mildew resistance, cadmium-induced programmed cell death, and saccharification efficiency.