CKR1 — Solanum lycopersicum

Summary

Tomato gene CKR1 (EIN2) on chromosome 9 encodes a protein with C2H4 receptor activity, histidine kinase activity, dual-specificity protein kinase activity, and metal ion transmembrane transporter activities including for manganese and aluminium. It is associated with ethylene production, lycopene biosynthesis, and disease resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 in tomato. The gene is linked to ethylene metabolism and detection, aluminium transport, lycopene anabolism, and responses to quercetin, carbon starvation, and boron. It localises to the ER membrane, plasma membrane, cytosol, and nucleus. Associations include fruit ripening, colour, shape, and firmness; seed yield and longevity; leaf senescence; root elongation; cell expansion; gravitropism; and responses to abiotic stresses such as aluminium, arsenic, ozone, and oxidative stress. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to ethylene signal transduction, iron acquisition, drought and salinity tolerance, and resistance to aphids and nematodes.