KC1 — Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

Summary

BvKC1 (BVRB_2G040000) on sugar beet chromosome 2 encodes a protein belonging to the KAT/AKT family, characterized by ankyrin repeats, and a voltage-dependent ion channel domain. The gene product exhibits outward rectifier potassium channel activity, potassium transporter activity, and ion channel activity. BvKC1 is associated with regulation of membrane potential, monoatomic ion homeostasis, potassium transport, and stomatal opening. It is linked to numerous agronomically important traits including yield, water use efficiency, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, root mass density, leaf number, vegetative growth time, days to flowering, sucrose content, and responses to water stress, alkali soil, aluminum, cadmium, and powdery mildew. The gene is also associated with potassium translocation, osmotic pressure regulation, and reactive oxygen species response. Related genes in other species are linked to guard cell ion flux, stomatal closure, and seed germination.