ZEP — Capsicum annuum

Summary

CaZEP (T459_05113) on pepper chromosome 2 encodes a zeaxanthin epoxidase, chloroplastic, an enzyme with zeaxanthin epoxidase activity (EC 1.14.15.21) that binds FAD. This gene is associated with abscisic acid and carotenoid anabolism, xanthophyll anabolism, sugar-mediated signalling, response to red light and heat, osmotic response, water homeostasis, stomatal movement, and chlorophyll fluorescence. The product localises to the chloroplast membrane, thylakoid membrane, and envelope. CaZEP is associated with plant fresh weight, photosynthetic rate, seed coat suberization, xanthophyll composition, photooxidative stress tolerance, non-photochemical quenching, resistance to necrotrophic fungi, salt and temperature stress tolerance, hydrotropism, cell death, chloroplast movement, aphid resistance, and seed germination. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to drought tolerance, abscisic acid biosynthesis, photoprotection, seed dormancy, and the xanthophyll cycle.