PME — Nicotiana attenuata

Summary

A4A49_08701 (symbol PME) on coyote tobacco (Nicotiana attenuata) chromosome 3 encodes a pectinesterase (EC 3.1.1.11) with both pectinesterase and pectinesterase inhibitor activities, placing it in the pectinesterase catalytic domain family. 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, photosynthetic rate (CO₂-related), root length, and chlorophyll content. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to fruit firmness, fruit color, fruit weight, fruit size, sugar content, lycopene content, cellulose content, lignin content, amylose content, protein content, stem elongation, cytoplasmic male sterility, and heterosis.