UFO — Triticum turgidum subsp. durum

Summary

TRITD7BV1G202770 (TtUFO, also known as TtAPO1) on chromosome 7B of durum wheat encodes an F-box protein containing a kelch-like β-propeller domain, with annotated DNA-binding, transcription factor, ubiquitin-protein transferase, and metalloendopeptidase activities. The gene is associated with the regulation of inflorescence and floral meristem identity and determinacy, meristem cell maintenance, phloem or xylem histogenesis, and vasculature development. It has been linked to traits including grain number per spike, spikelet number, inflorescence development, flower morphology, plant male sterility, anthocyanin content, and gibberellic acid sensitivity. Localization evidence connects the product to the SCF ubiquitin ligase complex, COP9 signalosome, and condensed nuclear chromosome. Studies of related genes in other species associate the UFO/APO1 family with floral organ patterning, inflorescence architecture, and grain yield traits.