CUL1 — Solanum lycopersicum

Summary

SOLYC02G021470.4, the tomato CUL1 gene on chromosome 2, encodes a cullin family protein with ubiquitin ligase complex scaffold activity and ubiquitin ligase binding. As a core component of the CRL complex localised to the nucleus, it is associated with proteasome degradation, organogenesis, and developmental processes. The gene has been connected to pigment metabolism, including carotenoid and lycopene anabolism, chlorophyll breakdown, and pigmentation, as well as photoprotection and response to UV-A. It is also linked to pollen recognition, rejection of pollen from other species, and mating. Associations with agronomically important traits include lycopene, carotenoid, flavonoid, and chlorophyll content, fruit size, photosynthetic rate, quantum yield, ethylene sensitivity, and root length. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to similar ubiquitin-mediated regulatory processes.