CPA — Medicago truncatula

Summary

MTR_2G086600, designated MtCPA (also known as MtNLP1.2, NLP1, or ATNLP1) in barrel medic (Medicago truncatula) on chromosome 2, encodes a protein belonging to the aliphatic amidase and C-N hydrolase families. The gene product exhibits multiple enzyme activities, including 3-cyanoalanine hydratase, nitrile hydratase, cyanoalanine nitrilase, N-carbamoylputrescine amidase, and nitrilase activity. MtCPA is associated with nitrogen homeostasis, cyanide breakdown, detoxification of nitrogen compounds, putrescine biosynthesis, nitrate import and response, nitrogen fixation, nodulation, and sumoylation. The protein localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum, plasma membrane, and cytoplasm. The gene is linked to nitrate uptake, photosynthetic rate, drought tolerance, and root development. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to chlorophyll content, leaf variegation, transpiration rate, protein content, salt response, and root development traits.