NCED1 — Daucus carota subsp. sativus

Summary

DCAR_019639, the carrot NCED1 gene on chromosome 5, encodes a carotenoid dioxygenase with 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase activity and metal binding capability. The gene is associated with abscisic acid biosynthesis and signaling, carotene breakdown, and the anabolism of beta-carotene, xanthophyll, lycopene, auxin, and carotenoids. It has been connected to root color, carotene content, and carotenoid content, as well as responses to salicylate, gibberellin, auxin, thirst, and salinity. The product localizes to the chloroplast thylakoid membrane and stroma. Studies of related genes in other species link the NCED1 family to drought tolerance, tuber dormancy, and resistance to late blight, along with traits such as leaf relative water content, root number, fruit firmness, and abiotic stress tolerance.