LHCB — Zea mays

Summary

ZmLHCB, encoded by the maize gene ZM00001EB049640 on chromosome 1, is a chlorophyll a-b binding protein that localizes to the light-harvesting complex II (LHCII), photosystems I and II, and the chloroplast thylakoid membrane. It is associated with chlorophyll binding, mRNA binding, and metal binding, and is linked to C4 photosynthesis, light absorption, heat dissipation, pigment metabolism, and response to radiation and UV-A. The gene is associated with agronomically important traits including grain yield, grain weight, ear diameter and length, cob weight, plant height, leaf chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency, heat tolerance, drought tolerance, stay green, and heterosis. Associations also include photosynthetic efficiency, non-photochemical quenching, state transitions, and stomatal response to abscisic acid. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to desiccation stress response and ABA-insensitive stomatal movement.