KC1 — Sorghum bicolor

Summary

SbKC1, encoded by SORBI_3009G147200 on sorghum chromosome 9, is a potassium channel protein belonging to the KAT/AKT family. It possesses outward rectifier potassium channel activity, voltage-sensitive potassium channel activity, and ion transporter activity, and is associated with regulation of membrane potential, upregulation of stomatal opening, and potassium ion membrane transport. The gene is linked to numerous agronomically relevant traits including yield, leaf necrosis tolerance, alkali soil sensitivity, water stress response, transpiration rate, stomatal complex closure time, days to flowering, vegetative growth time, root mass density, lateral root length, nitrate uptake, and sucrose content. It is also connected to potassium translocation, stomatal opening, reactive oxygen species response, and mineral nutrient partitioning. Related genes in other species are linked to potassium secretion into xylem, drought stress tolerance, osmotic stress tolerance, and grain potassium content.