ANT — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB235570, designated ANT (also known as ZmANT, EMB104, and BT1-1), encodes a nucleotide transmembrane transporter on maize chromosome 5. The protein exhibits AMP, ADP, ATP, coenzyme A, and thiamine diphosphate transporter activities, along with calcium ion transport and histone acetyltransferase/deacetylase functions. It localizes to plastid envelopes, mitochondrial membranes, and amyloplast inner membranes. ANT is associated with starch biosynthesis, carbohydrate storage and metabolism, seed development, and membrane biogenesis. The gene has been linked to numerous agronomically important traits including grain weight, grain yield, amylose content, starch content, protein content, seed weight, plant height, ear length, leaf length, root morphology, heterosis, and responses to osmotic stress, salt tolerance, and oxidative stress. Embryo lethal phenotypes and developmental arrest at the globular stage have been observed in connection with this gene.