EGY1 — Cucumis melo

Summary

MELO3C008847.2, designated CmEGY1 on melon chromosome 9, encodes a peptidase M50 family metalloendopeptidase with EGY1-like domains. The gene product localises to the chloroplast membrane and is associated with photosystem I and II assembly, thylakoid membrane organisation, chloroplast organisation, proteolysis, and responses to ethylene, light, ammonia, and cation stress. It has been linked to negative gravitropism, fruit colour, chloroplast development, chlorophyll accumulation, leaf greening, thylakoid and grana maintenance, root growth, phosphate homeostasis, hypocotyl gravitropism, endodermal plastid development, pre-mRNA splicing, and ammonium stress tolerance. Studies of related genes in other species connect the EGY1 family to leaf senescence, gravitropism, suppressed hypocotyl elongation, and reduced chlorophyll with abnormal chloroplasts.