ERF3 — Solanum lycopersicum

Summary

SlERF3 (SOLYC08G078190.2) encodes an AP2/ERF domain-containing transcription factor on tomato chromosome 8. The protein possesses sequence-specific DNA binding and transcription factor activity. SlERF3 is associated with TYLCV resistance in tomato and has been linked to numerous traits including fruit firmness, fruit color, carotene and carotenoid content, carbon isotope discrimination, root weight, adventitious root number, phosphorus uptake, leaf curling, UV-B light sensitivity, shoot axis branching, jasmonic acid and ethylene sensitivity, osmotic response sensitivity, and self-incompatibility. The gene is associated with processes such as response to oxygen levels, hormone metabolism, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, pollen-pistil interaction, and regulation of autophagy. It localizes to the nucleus, cytosol, and stress granules. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to cold and high light acclimation, defense against herbivores and viruses, osmotic stress tolerance, and resistance to fungal and bacterial pathogens.