AT3 — Capsicum annuum

Summary

CaAT3 (AT3) on pepper chromosome 9 encodes a small hydrophilic seed protein belonging to the LEA_5 family, with annotated L-lactate dehydrogenase (cytochrome) activity and protein phosphorylated amino acid binding. The gene 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, signal transduction, and protein localisation. It localises to the cytosol, cytoplasm, and nucleus. CaAT3 is linked to pungency, fruit weight, root morphology, capsiate content, seed dehydration, and seed development. Studies of the Arabidopsis relative EM1 connect the family to seed dormancy, embryo development, seed maturation, and late embryogenesis, while sequence similarity links the family to salt response, chlorophyll content, and seed growth traits.