ASP1 — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB238900 (ZmASP1) on maize chromosome 5 encodes a protein with aspartate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1) and L-aspartate:2-oxoglutarate transaminase activity, pyridoxal phosphate and copper binding, and domains characteristic of aminotransferases. The gene is associated with C4 photosynthesis, nitrogen utilization, pigment accumulation, vascular transport, and regulation of gluconeogenesis, and its product localizes to mitochondria and cytosol. ZmASP1 has been linked to grain yield, harvest index, grain filling period, cob length and diameter, net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal resistance, rubisco content, carbon isotope discrimination, drought and heat tolerance, salinity tolerance, and shoot and root biomass traits. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to grain filling, grain size, auxin content, and pollen fertility.