BLR — Cucumis melo

Summary

MELO3C003175.2, designated CmBLR on melon chromosome 9, encodes a homeodomain transcription factor with DNA-binding, transcription coactivator and protein homodimerization activities. It is associated with floral whorl morphogenesis, maintenance of inflorescence and floral meristem identity, stem cell population maintenance, and adaxial/abaxial pattern specification. The gene is linked to negative regulation of auxin-mediated signaling, cytokinin anabolism, and glycine metabolism. Traits connected to CmBLR include compound leaf and flower morphology, fruit position, seed weight, photoperiod-sensitive flowering time, shoot axis branching, and lignin biosynthesis. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to shoot apical meristem development, organ polarity, internode patterning, and fruit development.