GW8 — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB175150 (ZmGW8, also known as ZmSPL13) encodes a protein with an SBP domain that localises to the nucleus and has DNA-binding transcription activator activity. In maize, this gene is associated with the regulation of vegetative phase change, shade avoidance, auxin transport, cytokinin signalling, anther development, cell wall modification, wax anabolism, nitrate import, the xanthophyll cycle, miRNA processing, and de-etiolation. It is linked to numerous agronomic traits including grain weight, seed size, plant height, leaf angle, node number, plastochron, heading time, anthesis time, popping expansion volume, lignin content, protein content, chlorophyll content, nitrate uptake, heterosis, hybrid incompatibility, inflorescence branching, and heat and cold tolerance. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to grain yield, grain width, grain number, panicle and spikelet development, tiller number, and floral transition.