BET9 — Lactuca sativa

Summary

LsBET9, encoded on lettuce chromosome 9, is a bromodomain-containing protein with histone binding, SUMO transferase activity, and tRNA-adenosine deaminase activity. It also exhibits sequence-specific DNA binding and transcription coactivator activity, localizing to the nucleus, cytoplasm, and plant-type vacuole. The gene is associated with the regulation of nitrate assimilation, salicylic acid metabolism, abscisic acid-mediated signaling, and shoot regeneration. It has been linked to numerous agronomic traits including seed protein content, flowering time, whole plant size, root hair length, lateral root length, anthocyanin content, and responses to high and low temperature stress, oxidative stress, copper, nitrate, aluminum, and phosphorus. Associations with disease tolerance, salt tolerance, and resistance to Botrytis cinerea have also been noted. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to cell cycle regulation, immune response, and ploidy level.