PME — Solanum tuberosum

Summary

StPME (PGSC0003DMG400037444) on potato chromosome 10 encodes a pectinesterase catalytic domain-containing protein with pectinesterase activity (EC 3.1.1.11) and also pectinesterase inhibitor activity. 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 connect the PME family to fruit firmness, fruit color, fruit weight and size, sugar content, lycopene content, cellulose content, chlorophyll content, root length, turgor pressure, cytoplasmic male sterility and protein content.