ACO1 — Cucumis melo

Summary

MELO3C003344.2 (CmACO1) on melon chromosome 5 encodes a protein with aconitase and 3-isopropylmalate dehydratase activity, belonging to the aconitase/iron-responsive element-binding protein family. The gene is associated with ethylene biosynthesis, the TCA cycle, leucine biosynthesis, and the S-adenosylmethionine cycle. CmACO1 has been linked to fruit shelf-life and firmness, ethylene sensitivity, lateral root development, gravitropic response, salt tolerance, and waterlogging stress tolerance. It is also associated with sex determination, trichome morphogenesis, regulation of salicylic acid signaling, negative regulation of leaf senescence, and response to iron ion starvation. The protein localizes to mitochondria, chloroplasts, the cytosol, and the plasma membrane. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to fruit softening, seed germination, adventitious root formation, and abiotic stress tolerance.