BT — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB144120, designated BT (also known as BT1, BT2, or ZmBT) on maize chromosome 3, encodes a protein containing BTB/POZ and TAZ zinc-finger domains characteristic of the BT1/2/3/4/5 family. The product exhibits calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase activity, protein serine/threonine kinase activity, DNA-binding transcription factor activity, and calmodulin binding. It is associated with meiotic telomere clustering, meiosis I, prophase, leptotene, and pachytene stages, as well as regulation of telomere maintenance, pollen tube growth, and responses to carbohydrate, hormone, and red or far-red light. The gene is linked to brittle endosperm, starch and amylose content, grain lysine content, grain weight and yield, seed weight, ear weight, leaf angle, root thickness, flowering time, and sensitivity to abscisic acid, manganese, and osmotic stress. Localization evidence connects the protein to the nucleus, cytosol, plasmalemma, and ubiquitin ligase complexes. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to embryo development, telomerase expression, nitrate response, and lateral root development.