PRS — Zea mays

Summary

ZmPRS (ZM00001EB092480) on maize chromosome 2 encodes a WUSCHEL-related homeobox 3A (WOX3A) transcription factor with DNA-binding activity. The gene is associated with mediolateral and adaxial/abaxial axis specification, auxin transport, organ formation and growth, stipule and sepal development, epidermal cell division, axillary shoot meristem initiation, procambium and phloem/xylem histogenesis, regeneration, and hypersensitivity. It has been linked to agronomically important traits including grain yield, plant height, leaf size and width, flag leaf area, stem width, tiller number, stem elongation, anthesis time, chlorophyll content, water use efficiency, stomatal resistance, drought tolerance, heterosis, and stem rust. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to lateral organ development and leaf margin development, while rice WOX3 studies link it to root, panicle, spikelet, grain, and endosperm development.