PNH — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB212800, designated PNH (also known as ZmAGO1A, ZmAGO1B, and ZmZLL) on maize chromosome 5, encodes a member of the Argonaute protein family, containing Piwi, PAZ, and RNaseH-like domains, and is annotated with siRNA and miRNA binding activities. The gene is associated with miRNA metabolic processes, long siRNA processing, and gene silencing by miRNA-directed mRNA cleavage. PNH has been linked to drought stress response in maize, and to leaf polarity, leaf morphology, auxin signaling, and the juvenile-to-adult transition. Associations also include ear weight, inflorescence branching, photosynthetic ability, lignin biosynthesis, root phototropism, and responses to UV-A and UV-B light. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to shoot apical meristem initiation, leaf and sheath development, and reproductive growth, as well as to antiviral immunity and floral organ development.