AAT — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB146400 (ZmAAT, also known as ZmVAS1, ZmPAT, or ZmISS1) on maize chromosome 3 encodes a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent aminotransferase with multiple activities including kynurenine-oxoglutarate, LL-diaminopimelate, methionine-oxo-acid, and nicotianamine aminotransferase activities, as well as 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase activity. The gene is associated with inhibition of IAA biosynthetic process, negative regulation of ethylene biosynthetic process, and aromatic amino acid biosynthesis and homeostasis. It has been connected to carotenoid content, grain yield, plant height, leaf angle, days to maturity, seedling vigor, and insect damage. The encoded protein localizes to the cytosol, chloroplast stroma, mitochondria, and amyloplast membrane, and is linked to amino acid metabolism, shade avoidance, fruit ripening, systemic acquired resistance, and shoot regeneration. Studies of related genes in other species associate the family with grain protein content, drought tolerance, and salinity stress response.