PIP1 — Zea mays

Summary

ZmPIP1 (ZM00001EB096680) on maize chromosome 2 encodes an aquaporin of the PIP2-2 type, a plasma membrane intrinsic protein with channel activity and phospholipase D activity, among other molecular functions including peptide binding, kinase activity, and protein dimerization activity. The gene is associated with carbon dioxide and urea transport, C4 photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, and cellular respiration, as well as phosphatidic acid metabolism and hydrogen peroxide membrane transport. ZmPIP1 is linked to numerous agronomic traits including drought sensitivity, root moisture content, leaf water potential, turgor pressure, leaf elongation rate, sodium and nitrate uptake, aluminum tolerance, bacterial and downy mildew disease responses, and brassinosteroid and ethylene sensitivity. It localizes to the plasma membrane, plant-type cell wall, chloroplast envelope, and Golgi stack. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to water transport, stomatal closure, drought stress, and grain yield.