ra1 — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB312340, symbol ra1 on maize chromosome 7, encodes a C2H2-type zinc-finger protein belonging to the plant developmental regulator family, with zinc-binding molecular function and nuclear localisation. The gene is associated with inflorescence development, meristem initiation, ear development, flower formation, morphogenesis, auxin signaling and response to auxin, cytokinin breakdown, mycose metabolism, and pigmentation. Observed phenotypes include tassel primary branch number and tassel length. Additional associations include tassel spike length, inflorescence size and branching, ear weight, spikelet density, plant height, grain number, grain yield, anthesis time, heterosis, and hybrid incompatibility. Related genes in other species link the family to similar inflorescence architecture regulation.