AP2 — Daucus carota subsp. sativus

Summary

DCAR_005288 (DcAP2) on carrot chromosome 2 encodes a protein with an AP2/ERF DNA-binding domain, annotated with sequence-specific DNA binding, transcription coactivator and corepressor activities, and blue light photoreceptor activity. It is associated with the regulation of floral organ abscission, seed development and abscission, endosperm development, seed coat development, cell wall thickening, and plant epidermal cell fate specification. The gene has been connected to numerous traits including seed color, seed set, photoperiod-sensitive flowering time, branch angle, plant male sterility, starch grain synthesis, shoot system elongation rate, and responses to aphids, thrips, and jasmonic acid. Localization evidence places the product in the nucleus, cytosol, nucleolus, Cajal body, and SCF complex. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to trichome development, mucilage production, tannin accumulation, drought tolerance, and defense against pathogens and insects.