ECS — Sorghum bicolor

Summary

SORBI_3009G029600 (SbECS) on sorghum chromosome 9 encodes a glutamate–cysteine ligase (EC 6.3.2.2) and belongs to the plant-type glutamylcysteine ligase family. The enzyme localises to the chloroplast stroma, plastid and cytosol. SbECS is associated with glutathione anabolism, defence responses to insects, fungi and bacteria, callose deposition, and responses to cadmium, ozone, heat and jasmonic acid. It is also linked to indole phytoalexin, lignin and glucosinolate anabolism, oxoacid metabolism and flower development. Phenotypic associations include glutathione biosynthesis, pathogen and disease resistance, cadmium and zinc tolerance, auxin transport, stomatal closure, embryo and meristem development, shoot branching, and tolerance to submergence and oxidative stress. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to glutathione content, cadmium sensitivity, nonhost resistance, flowering time and yield.