SUT1 — Zea mays

Summary

ZmSUT1 (ZM00001EB005460) on maize chromosome 1 encodes a sucrose:proton symporter belonging to the sucrose symporter plant family and the major facilitator superfamily, with molecular functions including sucrose:proton symporter activity, maltose:proton symporter activity, and salicin and arbutin transmembrane transporter activities. The gene is associated with phloem loading and unloading, vascular transport, sucrose and maltose transport, raffinose and sucrose anabolism, C4 photosynthesis, nutrient storage, response to starvation, and spore formation. It localizes to the plasma membrane, tonoplast, vacuole, and cis-Golgi network. ZmSUT1 is associated with grain filling period, grain size and weight, starch content, chlorophyll content, stay green, leaf angle, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal resistance, heat and drought tolerance, anthesis time, and potassium uptake. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to grain yield, protein content, salt tolerance, and endosperm development.