PSY — Nicotiana attenuata

Summary

A4A49_17569 (PSY, PSY1) in Nicotiana attenuata encodes a phytoene synthase (EC 2.5.1.32) with PSase, squalene synthase, dimethylallyltransferase and farnesyltranstransferase activities, belonging to the squalene/phytoene synthase family. It is associated with carotenoid, isoprenoid and monoterpene biosynthesis, chromoplast and chloroplast organization, pigmentation, de-etiolation, leaf senescence, osmotic response, virus-induced PTGS, and protein stabilization. The gene is linked to fruit carotenoid content and color, fruit ripening, abscisic acid production, chloroplast biogenesis, chlorophyll biosynthesis, drought tolerance, cell elongation, and photosynthetic rate. It localizes to plastids, chloroplast membranes, etioplasts, chromoplast stroma, mitochondria, cytosol and nucleus. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to grain width, zeaxanthin, lutein, beta-carotene and lycopene content, root and flower color, fruit quality, virus resistance, cold stress tolerance, thermotolerance, and flowering time.