NCED2 — Solanum lycopersicum

Summary

SOLYC08G016720.1, designated NCED2 on tomato chromosome 8, encodes a carotenoid dioxygenase with 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase activity and metal binding capability. The enzyme is localised to the thylakoid, chloroplast thylakoid membrane and stroma. NCED2 is associated with abscisic acid biosynthesis and homeostasis, carotene and xanthophyll anabolism, lycopene anabolism, pigment accumulation, flower formation, seed dormancy, and salt stress response. The gene has been connected to numerous agronomic traits including fruit firmness and size, lycopene and carotenoid content, chlorophyll content, anthocyanin content, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal resistance, leaf water potential, relative water content, root fresh weight, stem diameter, plant height, germination rate, and seed maturation. Related genes in other species link it to seed dormancy, lateral root development, boron toxicity tolerance, and tuber dormancy.