ERF3 — Nicotiana attenuata

Summary

A4A49_28744 (ERF3) on chromosome 8 of coyote tobacco (Nicotiana attenuata) encodes an AP2/ERF domain-containing protein with DNA-binding and transcription cis-regulatory region binding activity, localised to the nucleus. The gene is associated with chlorophyll breakdown, leaf senescence, leaf development, cell death, defense response, ethene mediated signalling pathway, fruit ripening, floral meristem determinacy, regulation of secondary shoot formation, and protein synthesis. It has been linked to leaf chlorosis, ethylene sensitivity, chlorophyll content, plant height, stomatal density, flowering time, photosynthesis, germination, early maturity, non-photochemical quenching, plant growth, and CO₂ assimilation. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to salt tolerance, resistance to Phytophthora infestans, pathogen defense, TYLCV resistance, disease resistance, and yield.