BAM1 — Zea mays

Summary

ZmBAM1 (ZM00001EB222250) on maize chromosome 5 encodes a protein with glycoside hydrolase family 14 domains and is annotated with beta-amylase (EC 3.2.1.2) activity, DNA-binding transcription factor activity, and identical protein binding. The gene is associated with maltose anabolism, phloem loading, chloroplast localization, and induction of programmed cell death. It has been linked to numerous agronomic traits including grain number, starch content, amylose content, seed dormancy, germination rate, seedling vigor, root yield and volume, leaf elongation rate, net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal resistance, chlorophyll content, cold tolerance, and drought tolerance. Phenotypic associations include leaf starch breakdown, osmotic stress response, freezing tolerance, heat stress tolerance, and resistance to Plectosphaerella cucumerina. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to shoot apical meristem maintenance, xylem patterning, and dehydration stress response.