STM — Cucumis sativus

Summary

CsSTM (CSA_4G062380) in cucumber encodes a serine hydroxymethyltransferase (EC 2.1.2.1) with glycine hydroxymethyltransferase activity, a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzyme. The gene is associated with carpel formation, floral whorl morphogenesis, sex determination, internode patterning, and maintenance of inflorescence meristem identity. It has been linked to traits including plant height, leaf shape, peduncle length, phyllotaxy, photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, flowering time, and disease tolerance. Associations also include shoot and root meristem development, fruit growth, herbicide and zinc sensitivity, and oxidative stress response. The product localizes to chloroplast thylakoid and envelope, mitochondrial lumen, stromule, and respiratory chain complex I. Related genes in other species link the family to photorespiration, one-carbon metabolism, stomatal closure, and drought and salt tolerance.