SUS1 — Capsicum annuum

Summary

CaSUS1 (T459_24403) on pepper chromosome 9 encodes a sucrose synthase enzyme (EC 2.4.1.13) with sucrose synthase activity, also possessing DNA-binding and transcription factor activity. The gene is associated with carbohydrate metabolism, fruit ripening, nectary and ovule development, and responses to hypoxia, flooding, sucrose, glucose, sorbitol, and nitrate starvation. It is linked to auxin polar transport, ROS metabolism, cell cycle modulation, and meiosis. CaSUS1 is associated with total soluble sugar content, fruit quality, grain yield, carotenoid and anthocyanin content, photosynthetic rate, seed size, root development, and stress responses to high and low temperature, drought, and oxidative stress. The protein localises to the cytosol, nucleus, vacuole, and plasmodesmata. Studies of related genes in other species link the sucrose synthase family to sucrose metabolism, anaerobic stress response, cellulose and starch biosynthesis, grain yield, and thermotolerance.