AAT — Cucumis melo

Summary

MELO3C030491.2 (symbol AAT, also known as CmAAT or PAT) on melon chromosome 5 encodes a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent aminotransferase with L-glutamate:prephenate, L-aspartate:prephenate, and L-aspartate:2-oxoglutarate transaminase activities, placing it in the AspAT/PAT-like family. The gene is associated with L-phenylalanine biosynthesis, fruit ripening, embryo development ending in seed dormancy, and CRISPR-Cas system processes. Its product localises to the chloroplast stroma. The gene is linked to aromatic amino acid biosynthesis and parthenocarpic fruit development. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to carotenoid and chlorophyll content, root morphology traits, and nitrogen metabolism, though these associations are not established for melon itself.