FAD2 — Daucus carota subsp. sativus

Summary

DCAR_027616 (DcFAD2) on carrot chromosome 8 encodes a fatty acid desaturase with acyl-lipid omega-6 desaturase (cytochrome B5), delta12 fatty acid acetylenase, omega-3 fatty acid desaturase, oleate D12-hydroxylase, and acyl-CoA (9+3)-desaturase activities. The gene is associated with unsaturated fatty acid anabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and lipid metabolism, and its product localises to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. DcFAD2 is linked to alpha-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, and xanthophyll content, as well as temperature stress response, aphid response, flower development, water use efficiency, stomatal resistance, seed growth and development, disease tolerance, and plant growth traits. Phenotypic associations include aphid resistance, altered fatty acid composition, tocopherol deficiency, suppressed cold stress phenotypes, punicic acid accumulation, seed oil melting point, and seed fatty acid composition. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to oleate desaturation, linolenic acid content, salt tolerance, and resistance to Botrytis cinerea.