KC1 — Asparagus officinalis

Summary

AoKC1, encoded by the A4U43_C01F25190 gene on asparagus chromosome 1, is a potassium channel protein belonging to the KAT/AKT family, with domains characteristic of voltage-gated ion channels and cyclic nucleotide-binding domains. It is associated with outward rectifier potassium channel activity, ion transporter activity, and potassium transporter activity. The gene is linked to regulation of membrane potential, monoatomic ion homeostasis, and upregulation of stomatal opening. It has been connected to numerous agronomically relevant traits including yield, water use efficiency, transpiration rate, photosynthetic rate, leaf necrosis tolerance, root hair length, lateral root length, days to flowering, and responses to water stress, alkali soil, and various nutrient sensitivities. Additionally, AoKC1 is associated with potassium translocation, stomatal opening, and reactive oxygen species response. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to stomatal regulation, seed germination, and ion transport.