AOX — Nicotiana attenuata

Summary

A4A49_02261 (AOX, AOX1) in coyote tobacco (Nicotiana attenuata) encodes an alternative oxidase, a ubiquinol:oxygen oxidoreductase (EC 1.10.3.11) with alternative oxidase and superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase activities, localised to the mitochondrial inner membrane and respirasome. The gene is associated with alternative respiration, oxidative phosphorylation, the GABA shunt, energy quenching, photosystem stoichiometry adjustment, phloem loading, and responses to chewing and nutrients. It is linked to traits including respiration rate, photosynthetic rate, quantum yield, water use efficiency, chlorophyll content, plant height, and photochemical quenching. Studies of related AOX family members in other species connect the family to drought tolerance, oxidative stress response, root length, and self-incompatibility, while related genes in other species link the family to respiratory capacity.