ELF3A — Cicer arietinum

Summary

ELF3A (ELF3) on chickpea chromosome 5 encodes an ELF3-like protein with a helical domain and is annotated with diverse molecular functions including receptor tyrosine kinase binding, auxin receptor activity, histone kinase activity, and cysteine-type peptidase activity. The gene is associated with photoentrainment of the circadian clock, positive regulation of thermomorphogenesis, upregulation of short-day photoperiodism and flowering, cellular response to drought, gibberellin-mediated signalling, and meristem determinacy. It localises to the plasmodesmatal ER, nuclear speck, and SCF complex. Associations include grain yield, drought stress response, leaf area, vegetative vigour, spot blotch, far red and blue light sensitivity, heterosis, and fruit number. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to circadian rhythm, floral transition, drought and salt stress resistance, seed yield, and shade avoidance.