NAC — Solanum lycopersicum

Summary

SlNAC (SOLYC04G009440.3) on tomato chromosome 4 encodes a NAC domain-containing protein with DNA-binding transcription activator activity. In tomato, SlNAC is associated with resistance to Pseudomonas syringae and bacterial pathogens. The gene is linked to numerous traits including fruit color, firmness, weight, shape and size, as well as lycopene, carotene, lutein, carotenoid, glucose, starch, cellulose, proline and amino acid content. It has been connected to photosynthetic ability, net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, respiration rate, root and inflorescence number, root fresh weight, stem diameter, leaf curling, brassinosteroid content, and biotic stress responses. SlNAC localises to the nucleus and cytoplasm and is associated with processes including immune system function, pigment and cellulose metabolism, root hair elongation, and leaflet formation. Studies of related genes in other species link the NAC family to drought tolerance, salt stress sensitivity, thermotolerance, and basal immunity.