CYTME2 — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB283570, designated CYTME2 on maize chromosome 6, encodes a malic enzyme with malate dehydrogenase (decarboxylating) (NADP+) activity (EC 1.1.1.40) and oxaloacetate decarboxylase activity. The product is associated with C4 photosynthesis, malate metabolism and transport, pyruvate anabolism, photoprotection, regulation of photosynthesis, and responses to water. It has been linked to traits including carbon isotope discrimination, net photosynthetic rate, quantum yield, chlorophyll content, shoot dry weight, drought tolerance, and stomatal resistance. Associations with aluminum tolerance, oxidative stress tolerance, abscisic acid response, and seed germination have also been noted. The protein localises to the cytosol, plastid, mitochondria, and plasmodesmata. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to salt stress tolerance, primary metabolism, and allosteric regulation.