CEP1 — Solanum lycopersicum

Summary

SlCEP1 (SOLYC02G076980) on tomato chromosome 2 encodes a papain-like cysteine peptidase with thiol endopeptidase activity, belonging to the peptidase C1A family and containing a proteinase inhibitor I29 domain. In tomato, SlCEP1 is associated with resistance to biotrophic pathogens and bacterial resistance, and is linked to hydrogen sulfide metabolism, carbohydrate breakdown, and programmed cell death. The protein localises to the senescence-associated vacuole, lysosome, vacuole, plant-type cell wall, ER, Golgi, and extracellular space. Associations with agronomic traits include fruit weight, fruit shape, stem thickness, plant height, sucrose content, photosynthetic rate, seed longevity, and nitrate uptake. SlCEP1 is also connected to leaf senescence, pollen development and fertility, drought tolerance, stomatal closure, insect resistance, and secondary wall thickening. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to developmental senescence, powdery mildew resistance, and cadmium-induced programmed cell death.