KC1 — Sorghum bicolor

Summary

SbKC1, encoded by SORBI_3009G146800 on sorghum chromosome 9, is a potassium channel protein belonging to the KAT/AKT family with ankyrin repeats and a cyclic nucleotide-binding domain. It possesses outward rectifier potassium channel activity and ion transporter activity. The gene is associated with regulation of membrane potential, upregulation of stomatal opening, regulation of K+ transport, and response to basic pH and hypotonic salinity response. It has been linked to numerous agronomically important traits including yield, leaf necrosis tolerance, water stress response trait, transpiration rate, stomatal complex closure time, days to flowering trait, vegetative growth time, root mass density, lateral root length, nitrate uptake, sucrose content, and responses to aluminum, cadmium, and insect damage. Related genes in other species link the family to potassium secretion into xylem, drought and salt stress tolerance, osmotic adjustment, and grain development.