H3.3 — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB244680 (H3.3, also known as ZmCENH3) on maize chromosome 5 encodes a histone H3/CENP-A family protein with a histone-fold domain, annotated with structural constituent of chromatin, methyl-CpG binding, and multiple histone methylase and acetylase activities. The gene is associated with centromere complex localization, kinetochore assembly, centromeric silencing, meiotic progression from leptotene through telophase, spindle checkpoint control, and sister chromatid cohesion. It is linked to traits including leaf trichome density, bacterial and aphid response, nitrogen sensitivity, cytokinin and brassinosteroid sensitivity, cytoplasmic male sterility, pollen fertility restoration, anthocyanin content, and high temperature stress response. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to centromere targeting, haploid production, uniparental genome elimination, and male and female germline development.