AT3 — Capsicum annuum

Summary

T459_22825 (AT3) on pepper chromosome 9 encodes an Em-like protein GEA1, a member of the late embryogenesis abundant (LEA_5) family of small hydrophilic seed proteins. The gene product is annotated with L-lactate dehydrogenase (cytochrome) activity and protein phosphorylated amino acid binding. AT3 is associated with embryo development ending in seed dormancy, acquisition of desiccation tolerance in seed, fruit development, response to abscisic acid, fermentation, protein stabilization, secondary metabolism, and signal transduction. It localizes to the cytosol, cytoplasm, and nucleus. The gene has been connected to pungency, fruit weight, root morphology, capsiate content, seed dehydration, and seed development. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to seed dormancy, embryo development, seed maturation, and late embryogenesis.