ARF — Solanum tuberosum

Summary

PGSC0003DMG401024957, designated StARF on potato chromosome 2, encodes a small GTPase of the Arf1-5-like family, with annotated molecular functions including G protein activity, phosphatidylinositol kinase activity, and phospholipase activator activity. In potato, StARF is associated with vesicle-mediated transport to the plasma membrane, ER-to-Golgi transport, Golgi organization, and regulation of auxin metabolism and proton transport. The gene has been linked to numerous agronomically relevant traits, including biomass yield, water use efficiency, chlorophyll content, days to flowering, root mass density, lateral root length, leaf senescence, and responses to low temperature, oxidative stress, abscisic acid, ethylene, and viral disease. StARF is also associated with phototropism, blue light sensitivity, and shoot morphogenesis. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to fruit set, tuber sprouting, and stress tolerance.