9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase
9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (, "nine-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase", "NCED", "AtNCED3", "PvNCED1", "VP14") is an enzyme with systematic name "9-cis-epoxycarotenoid 11,12-dioxygenase". This enzyme catalyses the following chemical reaction 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase contains iron(II). Genomic sequence: Chromosome: 3; NC_003074.8 (4831286..4834015, complement) Gene function. Overexpression of the AtNCED3 gene improves the tolerance of transgenic plants to dehydration stress as well as to salinity stress. Overexpression also leads to the overexpression of other genes induced by drought-stress. Transgenics containing AtNCED3 had greater root biomass, bigger pith size and higher level of photosynthesis. It has  been suggested that the AtNCED3 gene promoter contains G-box-like cis-acting elements which are responsible for dehydration-induced expression. Gene expression differs by plant organ. The gene may have a dual role in roots by either promoting or inhibiting the development of lateral roots. AtNCED3 functions in seeds by regulating the seed establishment and abortion, maturation of the embryo, and seed dormancy. Maternal ABA functions in the early stage of zygote development, while embryonal AtNCED3 expresses later for ABA synthesis in case of dormancy. Expression of the gene mainly happens in the maternal tissues in the basal part  of seeds or funiculus. AtNCED3 gene expression responds to drought-stress and salt-stress. The signal caused by low moisture in the air is first induced by the stomata of leaves and transferred to other cells and tissues, which upregulate the expression of the AtNCED3 gene and ABA synthesis. Stomata closure limits various processes, including air exchange, water loss and O2 release. The AtNCED3 gene is active and expressed under these circumstances. Accumulation of AtNCED3 mRNA and AtNCED3 protein was first found in the vascular parenchyma cells under drought stress, which suggested that plant drought tolerance relates to the development  of plant vascular tissue. Also, overexpression of AtNCED3 gene can improve plant salt tolerance.