AP2 — Cucumis sativus

Summary

CsAP2 (CSA_5G175970) on cucumber chromosome 5 encodes a DNA-binding transcription factor with an AP2/ERF domain, annotated with transcription corepressor and coactivator activity, blue light photoreceptor activity, and protein homodimerization. It is associated with regulation of floral organ abscission, seed abscission, sex determination, seed development, and downregulation of photosynthesis. The gene is linked to traits including seed color, fruit length, starch grain synthesis, photoperiod-sensitive flowering, plant male sterility, branch angle, shoot system elongation rate, and responses to aphids, thrips, jasmonic acid, gibberellic acid, cytokinin, and potassium. Localization evidence places the product in 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, seed mucilage, drought tolerance, and defense against pathogens and insects.