KC1 — Cucumis melo

Summary

CmKC1 (MELO3C003680.2) on melon chromosome 5 encodes a protein belonging to the KAT/AKT family, with outward rectifier potassium channel activity, ion transporter activity, and additional annotated functions including ATPase inhibitor, calcium-dependent protein phosphatase, and GAP binding activities. The gene is associated with regulation of membrane potential, monoatomic ion homeostasis, upregulation of stomatal opening, and cellular potassium ion homeostasis. It has been linked to numerous agronomically important traits including yield, water use efficiency, transpiration rate, leaf necrosis tolerance, alkali soil sensitivity, cadmium concentration, root hair length, lateral root length, days to flowering, and vegetative growth time. The encoded protein localizes to the apical plasma membrane, pollen tube tip, cell plate, and vesicle compartments. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to stomatal regulation, ion transport, and stress responses.