PME — Nicotiana attenuata

Summary

A4A49_11002 (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 cell wall modification, pectin breakdown, 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, root length, and chlorophyll content. Studies of related genes in other species connect the PME family to fruit firmness, fruit color, fruit weight and size, sugar content, lycopene content, cellulose and lignin content, amylose content, protein content, stem elongation, heterosis, and cytoplasmic male sterility.