SUS1 — Cucumis melo

Summary

MELO3C015552.2 (CmSUS1) on melon chromosome 3 encodes a sucrose synthase, possessing sucrose synthase activity, transglycosidase activity, and DNA-binding transcription factor activity. The protein localises to the cytosol, nucleus, vacuole and plasmodesmata. CmSUS1 is associated with sucrose and hexose breakdown, sucrose anabolism, starch metabolism, the TCA cycle, carotenoid anabolism, hormone anabolism, and responses to flooding, sorbitol, mannitol and nitrate starvation. It is linked to fruit sweetness, total soluble sugar and sucrose content, fruit weight and quality, grain yield, seed size, stem length and diameter, carotenoid content, iron concentration, photoperiod sensitivity, heterosis, and high temperature stress response. The gene is also connected to hypoxia tolerance, sink strength, drought and cold stress responses, and waterlogging susceptibility. Studies of related genes in other species link the sucrose synthase family to grain yield, fruit size, starch concentration, submergence tolerance, and chilling and heat tolerance.