HY4 — Zea mays

Summary

ZmHY4 (also known as ZmCRY1A, ZmCRY1B, OOP2, BLU1) on maize chromosome 2 encodes a cryptochrome/photolyase family protein with blue, red and far-red light photoreceptor activity, DNA photolyase activity, FAD binding, gibberellin binding, bHLH transcription factor binding, chromatin DNA binding, phosphorelay sensor kinase activity and histidine kinase activity. The gene is associated with light quality response, far red and red light sensitivity, UV light sensitivity, photoperiod sensitivity, seedling vigor, leaf area, stem length, ear weight, seed set, panicle number, plant size, phenolic compound content, starch grain synthesis, gibberellin biosynthesis, temperature stress response, viral disease response, insect damage and glyphosate sensitivity. It localises to the nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria, plasmalemma and SCF ubiquitin ligase complexes. Studies of related genes in other species link the cryptochrome family to blue light reception, hypocotyl growth inhibition, floral initiation, magnetic field sensitivity, ABA signaling and resistance to Pseudomonas syringae.