GR — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB004790, designated GR2 on maize chromosome 1, encodes a glutathione reductase (EC 1.8.1.7) with additional annotated activities including leghemoglobin reductase, dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase, and thioredoxin reductase (NADPH). The protein belongs to the GSHR/TRXR-like family and binds FAD, NADP, ATP, and copper. GR2 is associated with aphid resistance in maize and has been linked to numerous agronomic traits including kernel number per ear, spike weight, seedling vigor, leaf elongation rate, root fresh weight, stem thickness, and photosynthetic ability. The gene is associated with glutathione redox homeostasis, oxidative stress tolerance, drought stress response, leaf senescence, photosystem II function, and stomatal aperture. It localizes to mitochondrial membranes and the chloroplast stroma, and participates in glutathione redox reactions and cofactor biosynthesis pathways. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to cellular redox homeostasis and sulfur assimilation.