ZEP — Brassica napus

Summary

BnZEP (ZEP, BnABA1) on chromosome A07 of oilseed rape encodes a zeaxanthin epoxidase, a FAD-binding enzyme. The gene is associated with abscisic acid and xanthophyll anabolism, carotenoid metabolism and breakdown, and pigmentation. It has been linked to traits including lutein, violaxanthin and chlorophyll content, leaf and petal color, root length and weight, leaf water potential, and proline content. Associations also include seed coat suberization, skotomorphogenic growth, photooxidative stress tolerance, nonphotochemical quenching, pathogen and disease resistance, salt and waterlogging tolerance, and seed germination. The product localises to the chloroplast membrane, thylakoid membrane, envelope and plastid. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to abscisic acid biosynthesis, drought tolerance, seed dormancy, the xanthophyll cycle, zeaxanthin accumulation, photoprotection, and aphid resistance.