ITPK1 — Zea mays

Summary

ZmITPK1 (ZM00001EB024800) on maize chromosome 1 encodes an inositol-tetrakisphosphate 1-kinase with multiple inositol phosphate kinase and phosphatase activities, including inositol-1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate 6-kinase and inositol hexakisphosphate 5-kinase activity. The gene is associated with inositol phosphate metabolism, phytate biosynthesis, and phosphate metabolism, as well as with zinc import, flavonoid anabolism, and response to salt. It has been linked to grain yield, seed size, plant height, and starch content, and to phenotypes including root hair development, primary root elongation, gravitropic response, phosphate homeostasis, and thermomorphogenic response. The protein localises to both the cytoplasm and nucleus. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to seed phytic acid content and seed germination.