CAF — Daucus carota subsp. sativus

Summary

DCAR_008820 (DcCAF) on carrot chromosome 3 encodes a protein with RNase III, PAZ, dsRBD, and DEAD/DEAH-box helicase domains, characteristic of a Dicer-like enzyme, and is annotated with ribonuclease III, helicase, dsRNA binding, and miRNA binding activities. In carrot, DcCAF is associated with soluble sugar content. The gene is linked to a wide range of biological processes including siRNA and miRNA processing, gene silencing, regulation of seed maturation, embryonic pattern specification, and meristem development. It is associated with numerous traits such as leaf and floral morphology, vegetative vigor, viral disease response, sucrose content, herbicide sensitivity, root mass density, seed dormancy, and abiotic and biotic stress responses. Related genes in other species are linked to antiviral defense, systemic RNA interference, and resistance to pathogens like Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.