H4 — Zea mays

Summary

ZmH4 (ZM00001EB351700) on maize chromosome 8 encodes a core histone H4 protein, a structural constituent of chromatin with DNA-binding and protein heterodimerization activity. As a histone-fold family member, it is associated with chromatin decompaction, DNA replication licensing, mitosis, and chromatin remodeling. The gene has been linked to sucrose breakdown, fermentation, the TCA cycle, jasmonic acid and anthocyanin anabolism, MAPK cascade signaling, demethylation, and protein synthesis. ZmH4 is associated with grain yield, plant height, anthesis time, heterosis, pollen fertility, shoot fresh weight, protein content, and tolerance to salinity and heat stress. It localizes to the nucleus and has been linked to globular embryo development. Related genes in other species support the family's conserved role in chromatin organization.