PME — Solanum tuberosum

Summary

StPME (PGSC0003DMG400019198) on potato chromosome 10 encodes a pectinesterase (EC 3.1.1.11) with pectinesterase catalytic and pectin lyase fold domains, and also exhibits pectinesterase inhibitor and enzyme inhibitor activities. The gene is associated with pectin metabolism and breakdown, cell wall modification and thickening, wound healing, fruit ripening, cell cycle and cell division. It has been linked to amylose content, heterosis, lignin content, stem elongation and photosynthetic rate. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to fruit firmness, fruit color, fruit weight and size, sugar and lycopene content, cellulose content, root length, chlorophyll content, turgor pressure, cytoplasmic male sterility and protein content.