ZDS — Daucus carota subsp. sativus

Summary

DCAR_025321 (ZDS) on carrot chromosome 7 encodes a zeta-carotene desaturase with 9,9'-di-cis-zeta-carotene desaturase and phytoene dehydrogenase activities, binding FAD and operating in plastid membranes, chloroplast thylakoids and envelopes. This gene is associated with carotenoid, carotene and lycopene anabolism, photoprotection, photomorphogenesis, secondary growth, root development, hormone anabolism, protein homotetramerization, post-transcriptional gene silencing and nitric oxide storage. It is linked to root color, carotenoid content, respiration rate, leaf and chloroplast development, retrograde signalling, abscisic acid biosynthesis, lycopene accumulation and plant growth. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to carotenoid and lycopene accumulation, fruit and flower color, leaf color, drought tolerance, plant height, fruit weight and size, chlorophyll content, seed maturation, root morphology and branching, and parasitic weed resistance.