LCY — Nicotiana attenuata

Summary

A4A49_13110 (LCY, LCY1) on chromosome 10 of coyote tobacco (Nicotiana attenuata) encodes a protein with lycopene beta-cyclase, capsanthin synthase, capsorubin synthase and neoxanthin synthase activities, and belongs to the lycopene cyclase b/e domain family. The gene is associated with carotenoid, beta-carotene, xanthophyll, abscisic acid, ubiquinone and anthocyanin anabolism, as well as chlorophyll breakdown, heat dissipation and virus-induced PTGS. Its product localises to plastids, chloroplast and chromoplast membranes. Associations with plant height, flowering time, biomass, chlorophyll content, photochemical quenching, drought tolerance, ethylene sensitivity, respiration rate and photosystem I photoprotection have been observed. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to carotenoid accumulation, photosynthetic efficiency, yield, biomass production, abiotic stress tolerance and fruit traits.