AUX1 — Oryza sativa Japonica

Summary

OsAUX1 (AUX1, also known as LAX1, PIR1, WAV5, RAU1, MAP1) on rice chromosome 1 encodes a transmembrane amino acid transporter family protein with auxin influx transporter, auxin receptor, auxin binding, IP6 binding, amino acid permease, symporter, ubiquitin-protein transferase, and protein binding activities. The gene is associated with root system development, root hair cell differentiation, meristem development, inflorescence morphogenesis, stigma development, establishment of planar polarity, circumnutation, positive gravitropism, regeneration, and the ascorbate glutathione cycle. It has been linked to numerous agronomic traits including grain yield per plant, grain width, spikelet number, panicle length, tiller number, spikelet fertility, salinity tolerance, herbicide sensitivity, ethylene sensitivity, root nitrogen content, root fresh weight, root volume, coleoptile length, starch content, and crop stand. The protein localizes to the plasma membrane, endosome, Golgi complex, cytoplasm, and SCF ubiquitin ligase complex. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to root gravitropism, lateral root development, leaf venation, and auxin uptake.