ARF4 — Cucumis melo

Summary

MELO3C025758.2, designated CmARF4 on melon chromosome 12, encodes an auxin response factor (ARF) family transcription factor containing B3 DNA-binding, AUX/IAA and PB1-like domains. The protein exhibits sequence-specific DNA binding, transcription cis-regulatory region binding, miRNA binding, and protein heterodimerization and homodimerization activities. CmARF4 is associated with fruit ripening, sepal and petal development, abaxial cell fate specification, pattern specification, developmental growth, vegetative phase change, regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis, and geotropism. It localises to both the nucleus and cytoplasm. The gene is linked to fruit shape, flower development, leaf morphology, root development, lateral root number and length, phototropism, ethylene and auxin sensitivity, photosynthetic rate, stem senescence, osmotic stress response, high temperature stress response, and sulfur content. Related genes in other species link the ARF4 family to drought resistance, salt tolerance, osmotic stress tolerance, spider mite tolerance, ascorbic acid accumulation, and leaf rolling.