VAR1 — Brachypodium distachyon

Summary

BdVAR1 (BRADI_2G23357V3) on chromosome 2 of Brachypodium distachyon encodes an ATP-dependent zinc metalloprotease of the FtsH family, with ATP hydrolase and AAA chloroplast protein-transporting ATPase activities. 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 chloroplast membrane, thylakoid, Ycf2/FtsHi complex, and M-AAA complex. Associations include variegated leaf, chloroplast development, plant female sterility, heading time, spikelet number, herbicide sensitivity, high temperature stress response, and auxin content. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to oxidative stress tolerance, shoot apical meristem function, auxin homeostasis, chloroplast development, and ABA response.