ARA8 — Brassica juncea

Summary

BJUA02G13790S (BjARA8) on chromosome A02 of Indian mustard encodes a protein with a phytochelatin synthase C-terminal domain and a papain-like cysteine peptidase superfamily domain. The enzyme has glutathione gamma-glutamylcysteinyltransferase activity and is associated with cadmium ion binding, copper binding, metal binding, arsenite transporting ATPase activity, and ABC-type phytochelatin transporter activity. It is associated with phytochelatin anabolism, cellular detoxification of cadmium ion, detoxification of copper ion, arsenite transport, response to arsenic, response to cadmium, indole glucosinolate breakdown, defence response to bacteria, defense response by callose deposition in cell wall, detoxification, response to stress, and homeostasis. The gene product localises to the plastid and cytosol. Associations with auxin content, immune signaling, immune response, osmotic stress tolerance, no phytochelatin biosynthesis under cadmium exposure, and arsenic translocation have been noted. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to heavy metal tolerance, phytochelatin synthesis, pathogen resistance, and stem lignification.