RDR6 — Zea mays

Summary

ZmRDR6 (ZM00001EB132680) on maize chromosome 3 encodes an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (EC 2.7.7.48) with RdRP activity, RNA binding, and ubiquitin ligase binding. This gene is associated with trans-acting siRNA processing, posttranscriptional gene silencing, and siRNA processing, as well as sex determination, carpel and pistil development, maintenance of shoot apical meristem identity, vegetative phase change, meiosis, DNA imprinting, retrotransposition, demethylation, autophagy, and regeneration. It localizes to the cytoplasm, nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, stress granules, and the RDRC complex. The gene is linked to drought tolerance, viral disease response, anthocyanin content and pericarp color, leaf morphology and composition, heterosis, and abiotic stress response. Related genes in other species are linked to antiviral RNA silencing, disease resistance, and developmental timing.