VAR1 — Brachypodium distachyon

Summary

BdVAR1 (BRADI_2G54697V3) on chromosome 2 of Brachypodium distachyon encodes a protein with ATP-dependent zinc metalloprotease, AAA chloroplast protein-transporting ATPase, metallopeptidase, and ATP-dependent peptidase activities. The gene is associated with thylakoid membrane organization, chloroplast stroma protein import, mitochondrial biogenesis, and response to nitric oxide and thermal stimuli. It localizes to the Ycf2/FtsHi complex, M-AAA complex, chloroplast thylakoid, and mitochondrial membrane. BdVAR1 is associated with variegated leaf, chloroplast development, plant female sterility, heading time, spikelet number, 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, chloroplast development, and ABA response.