FAD3 — Solanum lycopersicum

Summary

SOLYC06G051400.3, also known as FAD3, FAD7, and FAD8, encodes a fatty acid desaturase with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid desaturase activity, functioning as an acyl-lipid omega-3 desaturase. This tomato gene on chromosome 6 is associated with aphid resistance and photosynthetic efficiency. It is linked to the regulation of unsaturated fatty acid anabolism, the lipoxygenase pathway, and glycerolipid anabolism. The encoded protein localizes to plastid, chloroplast, and ER membranes. Associations include alpha-linolenic acid content, fruit flavor, jasmonic acid content, and responses to temperature stress, light intensity, and aphids. It is also connected to heterosis, leaf length, respiration rate, stomatal resistance, seed development, disease tolerance, and salt tolerance. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to wounding and defense responses, and to cold stress tolerance.