PSY — Triticum turgidum subsp. durum

Summary

TRITD6BV1G228570 (TtPSY, PSY) on durum wheat chromosome 6B encodes a protein with squalene/phytoene synthase and isoprenoid synthase domains, and has phytoene synthase activity (EC 2.5.1.32), catalysing the reaction prephytoene diphosphate to phytoene. The gene is associated with carotenoid and pigment anabolism, pigment breakdown, chromoplast and chloroplast organization, de-etiolation, and response to light. It is linked to grain yellow pigment content, flour colour, grain protein content, test weight, grain number, grain size, grain weight, grains per spike, photosynthetic rate, ash content, flowering time, and embryo development. The product localizes to plastids, chromoplast stroma, etioplasts, chloroplast membrane, mitochondria, cytosol, and nucleus. Studies of related genes in other species connect it to carotenoid and abscisic acid content, endosperm and pericarp colour, yield, drought and salt tolerance, thermotolerance, and seed germination.