HMG1 — Cucumis melo

Summary

MELO3C013480.2 (HMG1) encodes a hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase (NADPH), the enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting step of the mevalonate pathway. This melon gene on chromosome 12 is associated with the biosynthesis of sterols, triterpenoids, saponins, and isoprenoids, and with fruit ripening, response to jasmonic acid, and cell division. The encoded protein localizes to multiple membrane systems including the endoplasmic reticulum, plastid, peroxisome, and mitochondrial membranes. HMG1 is associated with fruit size, photosynthetic rate, plant height, biomass, flowering time, male fertility, seed phytosterol content, and defense and wound responses. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to isoprenoid biosynthesis, phytosterol content, and mevalonate pathway regulation, while tomato studies link the family to fruit development and potato studies to steroidal glycoalkaloid content.