ARA8 — Cucumis melo

Summary

MELO3C022380.2 (CmARA8) on melon chromosome 12 encodes a phytochelatin synthase with glutathione gamma-glutamylcysteinyltransferase activity (EC 2.3.2.15) and is associated with ABC-type phytochelatin transporter and arsenite-transporting ATPase activities. The gene is linked to phytochelatin anabolism, cellular detoxification of cadmium and copper ions, arsenite transport, lignin anabolism, callose deposition in defense responses, and stress responses including to arsenic and cadmium. It has been connected to flower and root development, dedifferentiation, and indole glucosinolate breakdown. Associations with lignin content, drought tolerance, cadmium and chromium tolerance, auxin content, immune signaling, osmotic stress tolerance, and arsenic translocation have been noted. The protein localizes to plastid, cytosol, and nucleus. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to heavy metal detoxification, arsenic tolerance, pathogen resistance, and callose deposition.