PSY — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB271860, the maize PSY gene on chromosome 6, encodes a protein with squalene/phytoene synthase and isoprenoid synthase domains, possessing squalene synthase, phytoene synthase, dimethylallyltransferase, and farnesyltranstransferase activities. In maize, PSY is associated with carotenoid, β-cryptoxanthin, beta-carotene, and zeaxanthin content and accumulation, as well as chromoplast organization, plastid localization, the xanthophyll cycle, and vitamin A and carotene anabolism. The gene is linked to grain color, endosperm color, popping expansion volume, grain yield, plant height, flowering time, photosynthetic rate, and tolerance to cold and drought. It localizes to plastids, chloroplast membranes, chromoplast stroma, etioplasts, and mitochondria, and is associated with responses to stress and amino acids.