ARF2 — Cicer arietinum

Summary

ARF2 (also known as ETT) on chickpea chromosome 1 encodes an auxin response factor, a DNA-binding transcription factor with domains including B3, ARF, and AUX/IAA, and exhibits protein heterodimerization, homodimerization, and transcription corepressor activity. The gene is associated with auxin signalling and response, and is linked to a wide range of developmental processes including fruit ripening, ovule development, abaxial cell fate specification, vegetative phase change, root hair differentiation, and floral meristem identity maintenance. It has been connected to numerous agronomic traits such as harvest index, seed coat color and pattern, days to flowering, flower and leaf morphology, phyllotaxy, and brassinosteroid sensitivity. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to seed dormancy, flavonol and proanthocyanidin accumulation, leaf longevity, and Fusarium wilt resistance.