PME — Nicotiana attenuata

Summary

A4A49_04813 (PME) in coyote tobacco (Nicotiana attenuata) encodes a pectinesterase (EC 3.1.1.11) with pectinesterase and pectinesterase inhibitor activities, placing it in the pectinesterase catalytic domain and pectin lyase fold families. The gene is associated with pectin breakdown, cell wall modification, demethylation, exocytosis, secretion, nucleocytoplasmic transport, carbohydrate metabolism, fruit ripening, homeostasis, cell death, and pollen tube growth. It has been linked to turgor pressure, root length, and chlorophyll content. Studies of related pectinesterase family members in other species further connect this family to pectin modification processes, though these associations are not yet established for this specific gene.