MEX1 — Brassica oleracea var. botrytis

Summary

BoMEX1, the cauliflower gene on chromosome 2, encodes a protein belonging to the MEX1/MEX1-like family, with maltose porter activity as its molecular function. It is associated with maltose metabolism, starch breakdown, and carbohydrate metabolism, and localises to the chloroplast inner membrane and envelope. The gene has been connected to leaf chlorophyll content, starch mobilisation, and chlorophyll content, as well as phenotypes including maltose transport, maltose excess, chlorosis with starch degradation defects, cold acclimation, frost tolerance, plant growth, and plant development. Additional associations include response to gravity, cell communication, multicellular organism development, and response to nematode. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to starch degradation and maltose excess phenotypes.