GAL3 — Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

Summary

BvGAL3 (GAL3) on sugar beet chromosome 2 encodes a melibiase with raffinose alpha-galactosidase activity, belonging to the glycosyl hydrolase 27 family. The gene is associated with galactomannan catabolic, polysaccharide breakdown, pectin breakdown, and carbohydrate metabolism processes, as well as dedifferentiation and secretion. Its product localizes to the secretory vesicle, vacuole, plant-type cell wall, and extracellular space. BvGAL3 has been connected to cold stress recovery and cell wall beta-l-arabinopyranose content. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to fruit firmness, and sequence similarity connects the family to EC 3.2.1.22 alpha-galactosidase activity.