IM — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB066920 (IM, ZmIM) on maize chromosome 2 encodes an alternative oxidase family protein with ubiquinol:oxygen oxidoreductase, alternative oxidase and superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase activities. The gene is associated with mitochondrial processes including alternative respiration, oxidative phosphorylation, electron transport chain, complex I and III assembly, mitochondrial transcription and biogenesis, as well as the TCA cycle, GABA shunt, ascorbate-glutathione cycle, carotenoid and glutathione metabolism, and response to water. It localises to mitochondria, thylakoid and membrane. IM is linked to grain yield, plant height, root length, chlorophyll and carotenoid content, proline content, heterosis, cold and drought tolerance, aluminium tolerance, canopy temperature, respiration rate, and both temperature-sensitive and cytoplasmic male sterility. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to plastoquinone pool oxidation, phytoene desaturation, chloroplast development, leaf variegation, photoprotection and stress responses.