MS1 — Lactuca sativa

Summary

LsMS1 (MS1, DUET, MMD1) on chromosome 3 of garden lettuce encodes a PHD-type zinc-finger protein that localises to the nucleus and euchromatin, where it binds histones, DNA and transcription cis-regulatory regions, and acts as a DNA-binding transcription factor. The gene is associated with male meiosis chromosome segregation, meiotic spindle organisation, anther wall tapetum morphogenesis, pollen wall assembly, microgametogenesis, pollen sperm cell differentiation, pollen germination, and the upregulation of chromosome condensation and programmed cell death. It is also linked to cellular response to brassinosteroid stimulus and positive regulation of gene expression. Phenotypic associations include male sterility, pollen development, viability, maturation, tapetal programmed cell death, meiotic chromosome condensation, anther development, flower fertility, and senescence. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to tapetum development, fruit ripening, and bacterial wilt resistance.