CAF — Nicotiana attenuata

Summary

A4A49_29656 (CAF/DCL3) in Nicotiana attenuata encodes a Dicer-like protein with RNase III, PAZ, dsRBD and helicase domains, and is annotated with ribonuclease III activity, dsRNA binding, miRNA binding, DNA glycosylase activity and AP lyase activity. The gene is associated with small RNA processing pathways including long siRNA, trans-acting siRNA, pre-miRNA and pri-miRNA processing, as well as gene silencing by miRNA-directed mRNA cleavage, hypermethylation of CpG island, and regulation of seed maturation, meristem development, leaf polarity and embryonic pattern specification. It localises to the nucleus, nucleolus, cytosol and nuclear speck. The gene has been linked to numerous traits including leaf, floral organ and inflorescence morphology, seed dormancy, root development, jasmonic acid and nicotine accumulation, herbivore resistance, antiviral defence, stress tolerance, and resistance to fungal pathogens such as Fusarium brachygibbosum and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.