FAD2 — Daucus carota subsp. sativus

Summary

DCAR_025967 (DcFAD2) on carrot chromosome 7 encodes a fatty acid desaturase with acyl-lipid omega-6 desaturase, omega-3 fatty acid desaturase, delta12 fatty acid acetylenase, oleate D12-hydroxylase, and monooxygenase activities, and is localised to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. The gene is associated with unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism. DcFAD2 has been linked to linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid content, xanthophyll content, temperature stress responses, aphid response, flower and seed development, water use efficiency, stomatal resistance, disease tolerance, and salt tolerance. Observed phenotypes include altered fatty acid composition, aphid resistance, fatty acid desaturation deficiency with suppressed cold stress, tocopherol deficiency, altered seed oil melting point, punicic acid accumulation, and effects on plant growth, seed viability, and lipid content. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to oleic acid content, salt tolerance, and resistance to Botrytis cinerea.