CAF — Capsicum annuum

Summary

CaCAF (T459_21639) on pepper chromosome 8 encodes a Dicer dsRNA-binding fold domain-containing protein with endoribonuclease activity producing 5'-phosphomonoesters, ribonuclease III activity, and dsRNA binding. It is associated with pre-miRNA processing, long siRNA processing, trans-acting siRNA processing, and gene silencing by miRNA-mediated mRNA cleavage. The gene is linked to regulation of seed maturation, embryonic pattern specification, suspensor development, leaf polarity, and adaxial/abaxial pattern formation. Associations include adult leaf morphology, floral organ morphology, vegetative vigor, viral disease response, herbicide sensitivity, osmotic response, seed dormancy, and plant immunity. It localizes to the nucleus, nucleolus, cytosol, and nuclear speck. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to antiviral defense, systemic RNA interference, herbivore resistance, jasmonate signaling, and resistance to fungal pathogens such as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Fusarium brachygibbosum.