APX — Capsicum annuum

Summary

CaAPX (T459_08364) on pepper chromosome 3 encodes a haem peroxidase family protein with L-ascorbate peroxidase activity, along with additional annotated functions including p-coumarate 3-hydroxylase, siRNA and miRNA binding, RNA endonuclease, and protein kinase activities. The gene is associated with the ascorbate-glutathione cycle, cellular oxidative stress responses, photoprotection, carotenoid and auxin metabolism, and positive regulation of stomatal complex development. It localises to multiple compartments including the peroxisome membrane, chloroplast thylakoid membrane, cytosol, and plasmodesmata. CaAPX is linked to agronomically important traits such as pungency, fruit size, bacterial blight disease resistance, viral disease response, net photosynthetic rate, relative chlorophyll content, leaf area index, root volume, seed viability, days to flowering, and proline and carotenoid content. Related genes in other species are linked to heat, drought, salt, high-light and oxidative stress tolerance, as well as root development and pathogen defence.