AAT — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB348660 (ZmAAT, also known as ZmVAS1) on maize chromosome 8 encodes a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent aminotransferase with multiple annotated activities including kynurenine-oxoglutarate, LL-diaminopimelate, methionine-oxo-acid, and nicotianamine aminotransferase activities, as well as 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase activity. The gene is associated with auxin, ethylene, and aromatic amino acid biosynthesis and homeostasis, carotene anabolism, tyrosine breakdown, and shade avoidance. It has been linked to agronomic traits including grain yield, plant height, leaf angle, days to maturity, seedling vigor, carotenoid content, and insect damage. The protein localizes to the cytosol, chloroplast stroma, mitochondria, and amyloplast membrane. Related genes in other species link the family to grain protein content, drought tolerance, and salinity stress response.