CHS — Medicago truncatula

Summary

MTR_5G007760, designated MtCHS, encodes a chalcone synthase, a type III polyketide synthase bearing chalcone/stilbene synthase and thiolase-like domains. The enzyme exhibits naringenin-chalcone synthase, chalcone isomerase, dihydroflavanol 4-reductase, flavonol synthase, and SUMO transferase activities. MtCHS is associated with flavonoid, anthocyanin, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, as well as auxin polar transport, response to UV-B and gravity, fruit ripening, and virus-induced post-transcriptional gene silencing. The protein localizes to the cytosol, nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, and tonoplast. MtCHS is linked to seed coat color, anthocyanin content, drought and salt stress tolerance, root-knot nematode resistance, flowering time, and stomatal opening. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to flavonol and glucosinolate biosynthesis, UV-B sensitivity, male fertility, and seed susceptibility to pathogens.