ERF1 — Capsicum annuum

Summary

CaERF1 (T459_14837) on pepper chromosome 5 encodes a DNA-binding transcription factor with an AP2/ERF domain and transcription coactivator activity. It is associated with the regulation of ethylene and jasmonic acid signaling pathways, cellular responses to drought and salinity, fruit ripening, trichome formation, flower development, and red/far-red light phototransduction. The gene has been connected to numerous traits including fruit length and weight, plant height, flowering time, photosynthetic rate, seed viability, flavonoid content, and disease tolerance. It is linked to phenotypes such as resistance to Botrytis cinerea and necrotrophic pathogens, salt, drought, and heat tolerance, stomatal aperture regulation, lateral root development, and ethylene signaling. The protein localizes to the nucleus and the mediator complex. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to ethylene response, fungal resistance, and drought stress response.