HY4 — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB010780 (ZmHY4, also known as ZmCRY1A) encodes a cryptochrome/DNA photolyase FAD-binding domain-containing protein with blue, red, and far-red light photoreceptor activity, CPD photolyase activity, and gibberellin binding. In maize, this gene is associated with light quality and photoperiod sensitivity, far-red and red light sensitivity, UV light sensitivity, and responses to very low fluence red light. It is linked to numerous agronomic traits including ear weight, leaf area, stem length, whole plant size, seed set percent, panicle number, adventitious root number, seedling vigor, and starch grain synthesis. The gene is also connected to gibberellin biosynthesis, phenolic compound content, insect damage, glyphosate sensitivity, temperature stress response, and viral disease response. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to blue light reception, floral initiation, hypocotyl growth inhibition, and resistance to Pseudomonas syringae.