STM — Cucumis sativus

Summary

CsSTM (CSA_6G497310) on cucumber chromosome 6 encodes a serine hydroxymethyltransferase (EC 2.1.2.1) with glycine hydroxymethyltransferase activity and pyridoxal phosphate binding. 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 shoot apical meristem development, phyllotaxy, plant height, leaf shape, fruit growth, flowering time, photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, and responses to oxidative stress, salinity, and disease. Localization evidence connects the product to chloroplast thylakoids, mitochondrial lumen, and the apoplast. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to photorespiration, one-carbon metabolism, drought and salt tolerance, stomatal closure, and basal defense against Pseudomonas syringae.