MEO — Nicotiana attenuata

Summary

A4A49_54897 (MEO, also known as ASK4) in coyote tobacco (Nicotiana attenuata) on scaffold12980 encodes a SKP1-like protein, a component of the Skp1_comp_dimer and SKP1/BTB/POZ superfamily. The gene product is associated with diverse molecular functions including MAPK phosphatase activity, cullin family protein binding, auxin receptor activity, and blue light photoreceptor activity. It is linked to numerous biological processes such as SCF complex assembly, regulation of gibberellic acid-mediated signalling, negative regulation of cytokinin signalling, and photoentrainment of the circadian clock. Localisation evidence connects it to the nuclear ubiquitin ligase complex, male germ cell nucleus, and pollen tube. The gene is associated with agronomically relevant traits including seedling vigor, submergence tolerance, bacterial blight disease resistance, plant male sterility, photoperiod-sensitive flowering time, and seed oil content. Studies of related genes in other species link the SKP1-like family to immunity, floral organ development, jasmonate perception, and drought tolerance.