ZEP — Cucumis melo

Summary

MELO3C020872.2 (symbol ZEP, preferred name CmZEP) on melon chromosome 12 encodes a zeaxanthin epoxidase, a FAD-binding enzyme with zeaxanthin epoxidase activity. This gene is associated with abscisic acid and xanthophyll anabolism, carotenoid anabolism, phenylpropanoid and lignin metabolism, sugar-mediated signalling, wound healing, and responses to red light, heat, osmotic stress, and water homeostasis. The product localises to the chloroplast membrane, thylakoid membrane, and envelope. CmZEP is linked to traits including carotenoid content and photosynthetic rate, and phenotypes such as seed coat suberization, xanthophyll composition, non-photochemical quenching, photooxidative stress tolerance, resistance to necrotrophic fungi, salt and temperature stress tolerance, stomatal closure, seed germination, and aphid resistance. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to abscisic acid biosynthesis, drought tolerance, photoprotection, seed dormancy, and the xanthophyll cycle.