ERF3 — Triticum aestivum

Summary

TaERF3 (TRAESCS6A02G181400) on wheat chromosome 6A encodes an AP2/ERF subfamily transcription factor with sequence-specific DNA-binding activity. The gene is associated with wax metabolism, cuticle and cutin biosynthesis, aldehyde anabolism, very-long-chain fatty acid metabolism, and defence responses to Gram-negative bacteria. It is linked to heat tolerance in wheat and to traits including grain yield, grain weight, grain length and width, spike length, heading time, plant height, seed germination, stripe rust resistance, cold tolerance, chlorophyll content, stomatal resistance and opening, and polysaccharide content. The encoded protein localises to the nucleus and protoplasm. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to leaf surface wax content, cutin biosynthesis, and defence responses, as well as spikelet number and drought tolerance.