AP2 — Solanum lycopersicum

Summary

SlAP2 (SOLYC02G093150.3) encodes a DNA-binding transcription factor with transcription corepressor activity, belonging to the AP2/ERF domain family. It is localized to the nucleus and cytoplasm, and is associated with homodimerization, DNA binding, zinc binding, and protein binding. In tomato, SlAP2 is associated with lycopene biosynthesis, as well as the regulation of floral organ abscission, seed development, and abscission. The gene has been connected to numerous agronomically important traits, including fruit firmness, color, shape, and size, as well as plant height, flowering time, drought tolerance, photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, and root morphology. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to floral organ identity, meristem maintenance, seed development, and stress responses.