ARF — Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

Summary

BvARF (BVRB_4G079940) on sugar beet chromosome 4 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, ER-to-Golgi transport, protein retention in the ER lumen, and regulation of auxin metabolism. It is linked to numerous agronomically relevant traits, including biomass yield, water use efficiency, root mass density, days to flowering, leaf senescence, stomatal resistance, and responses to low temperature, oxidative stress, and viral disease. Additional associations include phototropism, blue light sensitivity, leaf vein morphology, and abscisic acid sensitivity. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to vesicular transport, phototropic responses, and stress tolerance.