ARF — Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

Summary

BvARF (BVRB_2G028970) on sugar beet chromosome 2 encodes a small GTPase of the Arf1-5-like family, with annotated molecular functions including G protein activity, phosphatidylinositol kinase activity, phospholipase activator activity, and actin binding. The gene is associated with vesicle-mediated transport to the plasma membrane, ER-to-Golgi transport, Golgi organization, protein retention in the ER lumen, and regulation of auxin metabolism. It has been linked to numerous agronomically relevant traits including biomass yield, water use efficiency, root mass density, days to flowering, leaf senescence, stomatal resistance, phototropism, blue light sensitivity, viral disease response, and responses to abscisic acid, ethylene, low temperature, and oxidative stress. Localization evidence connects the product to Golgi-associated vesicles, COPII-coated vesicles, the ER membrane, and the trans-Golgi network. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to vesicular transport, auxin transporter recycling, embryonic patterning, and leaf development.