FTM3 — Solanum lycopersicum

Summary

SlFTM3 (also known as SlBZIP11, SlBZIP44, SlGBF5, and SlGBF6) on tomato chromosome 1 encodes a bZIP transcription factor of the GBF1 subfamily, possessing DNA-binding, transcription factor activity, and protein homo- and heterodimerization functions. It localizes to both the nucleus and cytoplasm. SlFTM3 is associated with the regulation of secondary metabolite biosynthesis, glutathione anabolism, and amino acid and proline metabolism, as well as phototransduction, sucrose-induced translational repression, and responses to starvation and glucose stimulus. The gene has been linked to susceptibility to Pseudomonas syringae and is associated with numerous traits including lutein and carotenoid content, leaf trichome density, net photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency, nitrogen sensitivity, salt and drought tolerance, and seed germination under osmotic stress. Studies of related genes in other species further connect the family to circadian phase regulation, stress responses, and seed maturation.