CPK24 — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB091710, designated CPK24, is a calcium-dependent protein kinase on maize chromosome 2. It encodes a serine/threonine kinase with EF-hand calcium-binding domains and calmodulin-binding activity, classified as EC 2.7.11.1. The gene is associated with diverse biological processes including pollen tube development, aerenchyma formation, oxidative phosphorylation, cytoskeleton organization, and water transport. It is linked to stress responses such as chilling, heat, cold, and drought tolerance, as well as agronomic traits including grain yield, shoot dry weight, spikelet fertility, starch and protein content, seed size, germination rate, and heterosis. The encoded protein localizes to the membrane, plasmalemma, cytoplasm, and nucleus. Studies of related genes in other species connect this gene family to immune signaling and stress adaptation.