MYB4 — Oryza sativa Japonica

Summary

OsMYB4 (OS09G0538400) on rice chromosome 9 encodes a plant R2R3-MYB transcription factor with sequence-specific DNA binding, protein dimerization, and small GTPase binding activities. It is associated with the regulation of flavonoid, anthocyanin, proanthocyanidin, lignin, cellulose, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, as well as secondary growth, trichome differentiation and spacing, seed coat development, shikimate pathway, and Pi homeostasis. The gene has been linked to numerous agronomic traits including grain number, grain weight, grain size, leaf angle, leaf shape, rolled leaf, chlorophyll content, root length, flowering time, cold and heat tolerance, UV-B sensitivity, biotic and abiotic stress responses, disease tolerance, and brassinosteroid and jasmonic acid content. It localizes to the nucleus, cytoplasm, and root hair. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to UV-B tolerance, flavonol biosynthesis, and sinapate ester production.