VAR1 — Brachypodium distachyon

Summary

BdVAR1 (BRADI_1G02240V3) on chromosome 1 of Brachypodium distachyon encodes a protein with AAA chloroplast protein-transporting ATPase activity, metallopeptidase activity, and ATP-dependent peptidase activity, belonging to the peptidase M41 and AAA+ ATPase families. The gene is associated with thylakoid membrane organization, chloroplast stroma protein import, mitochondrial biogenesis, and response to nitric oxide and thermal stimulus. It localizes to the Ycf2/FtsHi complex, M-AAA complex, chloroplast thylakoid, and mitochondrial membrane. Associations include variegated leaf, chloroplast development, plant female sterility, spikelet number, heading time, shoot axis branching, herbicide sensitivity, and high temperature stress response. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to oxidative stress tolerance, leaf morphology, shoot apical meristem function, and auxin homeostasis.