AAT1 — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB050630 (AAT1, also known as CAT2–CAT6 and CAT10–CAT11) on maize chromosome 1 encodes a basic amino acid permease with L-lysine, L-glutamate, and general amino acid transmembrane transporter activity. The gene is associated with osmotic stress and abscisic acid responses, and its product localises to the tonoplast, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and plasma membrane. Annotated biological process associations include DHN-melanin biosynthesis, toxin and siderophore anabolism, asexual sporulation, nitrogen fixation, and amino acid transport. The gene has been linked to agronomic traits such as grain yield, grain number, ear length, plant height, leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid content, brittle endosperm, salt and heat tolerance, germination rate, root length, and proline and anthocyanin content. Related genes in other species connect the gene family to vacuolar amino acid transport, photorespiratory stress tolerance, and pathogen resistance.