CUC2 — Cucumis melo

Summary

MELO3C017052.2, also known as CmCUC2, encodes a NAC domain-containing transcription factor with DNA-binding and transcription coactivator activity. This melon gene on chromosome 8 is associated with the formation of plant organ boundaries, meristem initiation, and the regulation of organ formation timing. It has been connected to numerous agronomically relevant traits including leaf morphology, fruit shape, seed set and yield, shoot branching, flower and gynoecium development, plant size, stem elongation, and vegetative growth time. Additional associations include gibberellic acid and cytokinin sensitivity, pollen fertility, male sterility, respiration rate, and adventitious root formation. The gene is linked to processes such as secondary shoot formation, endosperm development regulation, lateral root morphogenesis, xylem development, and autophagy. Studies of related NAC family members in other species connect the family to cotyledon separation, leaf margin dissection, embryonic shoot meristem formation, and drought tolerance.