CAF — Cucumis melo

Summary

MELO3C010254.2 (CmCAF) encodes a protein containing Dicer dimerisation, RNase III, PAZ, dsRBD, and DEAD/DEAH-box helicase domains, with annotated ribonuclease III, helicase, DNA glycosylase, and RNA methyltransferase activities. In melon, this gene is associated with long siRNA processing, trans-acting siRNA processing, pre-miRNA processing, and gene silencing by miRNA-directed mRNA cleavage. It is linked to regulation of seed maturation, meristem development, adaxial/abaxial pattern formation, and embryonic pattern specification. The gene has been connected to numerous agronomic traits including fruit sweetness and size, leaf and floral morphology, stem length and diameter, viral disease response, herbicide sensitivity, heterosis, and abiotic stress response. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to antiviral defense, systemic RNA interference, and resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.