H3.3 — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB018990 (H3.3, also known as ZmCENH3 or ZmMGH3) on maize chromosome 1 encodes a histone H3/CENP-A family protein with a histone-fold domain, and is annotated as a structural constituent of chromatin. It is associated with methyl-CpG, methyl-CpNpG, and methyl-CpNpN binding, histone acetylase and methylase activities, and euchromatin binding. The gene is linked to centromere complex localization, kinetochore assembly, centromeric silencing, meiotic chromosome separation, spindle checkpoint, sister chromatid cohesion, and regulation of nuclear division. It has been connected to traits including leaf trichome density, bacterial and aphid disease response, nitrogen sensitivity, cytoplasmic male sterility, pollen fertility restoration, inflorescence and flower development, anthocyanin content, and high temperature stress response. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to centromere targeting, haploid production, and uniparental genome elimination.