FAD2 — Daucus carota subsp. sativus

Summary

DCAR_028037 (DcFAD2) on carrot chromosome 8 encodes a fatty acid desaturase with acyl-lipid omega-6 desaturase (cytochrome b5), omega-3 fatty acid desaturase, delta12 fatty acid acetylenase, and acyl-CoA (9+3)-desaturase activities. The product localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. DcFAD2 is associated with unsaturated fatty acid anabolism and fatty acid metabolism. The gene has been connected to linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, and xanthophyll content, as well as temperature stress responses, aphid response, flower and seed development, water use efficiency, stomatal resistance, disease tolerance, and salt tolerance. Associations include altered fatty acid composition, aphid resistance, tocopherol deficiency, suppressed cold stress, punicic acid accumulation, seed oil melting point, mitochondrial respiration, seed viability, and lipid content. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to oleate desaturation, salt tolerance, Botrytis cinerea resistance, and seed oil composition.