LP2 — Cucumis melo

Summary

MELO3C009108.2 (LP2) on melon chromosome 5 encodes a non-specific lipid-transfer protein (nsLTP) with lipid carrier and lipid binding activities. The gene is associated with phospholipid transfer to membranes, lipid transport, and the biosynthesis of cutin, wax, and triterpenoids, as well as cuticle development, epidermal cell differentiation, seed trichome elongation, and fatty acid elongation. It is linked to responses to salt, drought, abscisic acid, and programmed cell death, and to traits including photosynthetic rate, drought tolerance, cuticle permeability, hypocotyl elongation, shoot development and branching, flowering time, cold tolerance, pollen tube growth, seed set, and root development. The protein localises to the cell wall, plasma membrane, Golgi, endosome, trans-Golgi network, plasmodesmata, and cytosol. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to cuticle integrity, pathogen resistance, salt tolerance, yield, and nitrogen use efficiency.