ARF — Cucumis melo

Summary

MELO3C013045.2, designated CmARF on melon chromosome 5, encodes a small GTPase of the ARF/SAR family. The encoded protein is annotated with multiple molecular functions including G protein activity, phosphatidylinositol kinase activity, phospholipase activator activity, actin binding, and blue light photoreceptor activity. CmARF is associated with vesicle-mediated transport, Golgi organization, protein retention in the ER lumen, and regulation of auxin metabolism. It localizes to Golgi-associated vesicles, the ER membrane, and early endosomes. The gene is linked to agronomically important traits including biomass yield, water use efficiency, days to flowering, disease tolerance, salt tolerance, and responses to low temperature and oxidative stress. Associations also include phototropism, leaf vein morphology, root development, and ethylene and abscisic acid sensitivity. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to vesicular transport, phototropic responses, and stress tolerance.