PI3K — Brassica oleracea var. botrytis

Summary

BoPI3K, the cauliflower gene on chromosome 4, encodes a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase of the class III VPS34 type, possessing protein serine/threonine kinase activity, ATP binding, and protein binding. It is associated with phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate biosynthesis, macroautophagy, pexophagy, endocytosis, late endosome-to-vacuole transport, microgametogenesis, anti-apoptosis, regulation of amino acid metabolism, phosphoinositide-mediated signaling, and reactive oxygen species metabolism. The gene is linked to defence activation against bacteria, response to salicylate and bacteria, regulation of stomatal closure, response to salt, and homeostasis. It localises to the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase complex class III, endosome and Golgi membranes, the pre-autophagosomal structure, and the plasmalemma. Associations with leaf senescence, pollen germination and development, root hair growth, proline accumulation, and heat and salt stress responses have been observed. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to plant growth, disease resistance, and stomatal closure.