ARA8 — Nicotiana attenuata

Summary

A4A49_26149 (symbol ARA8, also known as PCS1) on coyote tobacco chromosome 1 encodes a phytochelatin synthase with glutathione gamma-glutamylcysteinyltransferase activity (EC 2.3.2.15) and is associated with ABC-type phytochelatin transporter and arsenite-transporting ATPase activities. The gene is linked to phytochelatin anabolism, detoxification of cadmium and copper ions, arsenite transport, response to arsenic and cadmium, lignin anabolism, callose deposition in defence, and immune signalling. It has been connected to cadmium, chromium and osmotic stress tolerance, auxin content, arsenic translocation, and lignin content. The protein localises to the plastid, cytosol and nucleus. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to heavy metal detoxification, arsenic and cadmium accumulation and tolerance, pathogen resistance, callose deposition, stem lignification, salt tolerance, and seed germination.