AP2 — Cucumis melo

Summary

MELO3C025726.2 (CmAP2) on melon chromosome 12 encodes a DNA-binding transcription factor of the AP2/ERF domain family, with sequence-specific DNA binding, transcription coactivator and corepressor binding activities, and blue light photoreceptor activity. The gene is associated with the regulation of floral organ abscission, seed abscission and development, endosperm development, plant epidermal cell fate specification, starch biosynthesis, and triterpenoid anabolism. It has been linked to photoperiod-sensitive flowering time, seed color and coat morphology, branch angle, plant male sterility, shoot system elongation, whole plant size, and responses to aphids, thrips, jasmonic acid, cytokinin, gibberellic acid, and osmotic stress. The product localizes to the nucleus, cytosol, nucleolus, Cajal body, SCF complex, and transcription regulator complex. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to trichome development, mucilage production, tannin accumulation, and hybrid seed viability.