CXE18 — Solanum lycopersicum

Summary

SlCXE18 (SOLYC09G074270.3) on tomato chromosome 9 encodes a carboxylesterase with gibberellin-binding activity, belonging to the alpha/beta hydrolase family and containing a lipase GDXG active site. The gene is associated with gibberellin signaling, including GID1-GA-DELLA complex degradation and GA transport to the nucleus. It has been linked to numerous agronomic traits, including fruit growth and development, harvest index, seed set, plant size, leaf area, shoot elongation, and branching. Additional associations include responses to light quality, blue and UV light, temperature stress, photoperiod-sensitive flowering, and viral disease. The gene is also connected to gibberellic acid sensitivity, photosynthetic ability, male sterility, anther and stamen morphology, and root development. Related genes in other species are linked to primary root growth, ent-kaurene oxidation, and dwarf phenotypes.