LAX1 — Oryza sativa Japonica

Summary

Rice gene LAX1 (OS01G0831000) on chromosome 1 encodes a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor with RNA polymerase II-specific DNA-binding and protein dimerization activities, localizing to the nucleus. LAX1 is associated with inflorescence morphogenesis, axillary meristem initiation and development, floral organ and stigma development, spikelet fertility, palea development, and regulation of both short-day and long-day photoperiodism flowering. It is also linked to auxin transport and anabolism, nitrate import, starch breakdown, root hair cell development, and embryogenesis. LAX1 is associated with panicle number and length, spikelet number, grain number and yield, tiller number, plant height, root number and length, pedicel length, plastochron, stem elongation, starch content, heterosis, and drought tolerance. Related genes in other species are linked to tassel branch number, ear traits, kernel number, leaf morphology, biomass yield, and anthesis time.