ZIP — Brassica juncea

Summary

BjZIP (BJUA07G26790S) on Indian mustard chromosome A07 encodes an Argonaute-family protein with RNA endonuclease activity and RNA binding capacity, containing Piwi, PAZ, and RNaseH-like domains. This gene is associated with gene silencing by miRNA and ta-siRNA, posttranscriptional gene silencing, antiviral response, and regulation of development including vegetative phase change, leaf development, and maintenance of shoot apical meristem identity. It is linked to female and male meiotic nuclear division, microgametogenesis, megagametogenesis, and stem cell population maintenance. The encoded protein localises to the nucleus, nucleolus, and cytoplasm. BjZIP is associated with root length, leaf morphology and polarity, developmental timing, juvenile-to-adult transition, auxin signalling, and antiviral resistance. Related genes in other species connect the family to drought tolerance, leaf rolling, leaf colour, and zinc concentration traits.