ABA1 — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB081460 (ZmABA1) on maize chromosome 2 encodes a zeaxanthin epoxidase (EC 1.14.15.21) with FAD binding activity, localizing to the chloroplast membrane, thylakoid membrane, and envelope. This gene is associated with abscisic acid anabolism, carotenoid metabolism and breakdown, stomatal opening, and multicellular organismal water homeostasis. It has been linked to numerous agronomic traits including grain yield, grain number, grain weight, kernel number per row, grain color, and carotenoid content. Additional associations include cold tolerance, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal resistance, chlorophyll content, root length, root branching, vivipary, and resistance to necrotrophic fungi and aphids. Related genes in other species are linked to abscisic acid biosynthesis, drought tolerance, seed dormancy, and the xanthophyll cycle.