SCR — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB195650 (ZmSCR) on maize chromosome 4 encodes the Scarecrow1 protein, a GRAS-family transcription factor with sequence-specific DNA binding and homodimerization activity. It is associated with root system development, radial pattern formation, bundle sheath and endoderm cell fate specification, Casparian strip assembly, C4 photosynthesis, amyloplast organization, cell quiescence, and regulation of stem cell proliferation. The gene is linked to grain yield and weight, forage yield, radiation and water use efficiency, chlorophyll content, days to heading, adventitious root number, root thickness, and oxidative stress response. It localizes to the nucleus, cytoplasm, and Golgi complex. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to root radial patterning, ground tissue development, and stem cell niche specification.