ZEP — Solanum tuberosum

Summary

PGSC0003DMG400004020 (ZEP) on potato chromosome 2 encodes a zeaxanthin epoxidase, a FAD-binding enzyme with zeaxanthin epoxidase activity (EC 1.14.15.21) that catalyses the conversion of antheraxanthin to violaxanthin. The gene is associated with abscisic acid and carotenoid biosynthesis, xanthophyll metabolism, pigmentation, starch and sucrose metabolism, and responses to red light, heat and osmotic stress. It is linked to drought sensitivity, photosynthetic rate, carotenoid, beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, starch and protein content, root colour, self-incompatibility, and numerous phenotypes including non-photochemical quenching, photooxidative stress tolerance, salt tolerance, thermotolerance, aphid resistance, stomatal closure, seed germination, leaf morphology, and cell death. The protein localises to the chloroplast thylakoid membrane and envelope. Related genes in other species are linked to abscisic acid biosynthesis, drought tolerance, seed dormancy, photoprotection, and disease resistance.