CUC2 — Cucumis melo

Summary

MELO3C026521.2 (CmCUC2) on melon chromosome 4 encodes a NAC-domain transcription factor with DNA-binding and transcription coactivator activity. This gene is associated with the formation and specification of plant organ boundaries, meristem initiation, secondary shoot formation, and the regulation of endosperm development, pistil development, and abscisic acid homeostasis. It has been linked to numerous agronomic traits including leaflet and leaf margin morphology, fruit shape, seed set and yield, plant size, shoot branching and growth angle, gynoecium development, male sterility, and pollen fertility. Additional associations include adventitious shoot formation, shoot regeneration, auxin biosynthesis, ovule development, and carpel fusion. Related genes in other species link the family to cotyledon separation, embryonic shoot meristem formation, leaf margin dissection, and drought tolerance.