WX1 — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB378140 (WX1, also known as GBSS1) on maize chromosome 9 encodes a protein with starch synthase and glycogen (starch) synthase activity, belonging to the GS/SS and starch synthase catalytic domain families. The gene is associated with amylose chain length and amylopectin anabolism, and its product localises to the amyloplast. WX1 is linked to starch concentration, amylopectin content, grain number, seed weight, seed size, seed length and width, grain filling period, maturity time, popping expansion volume, floury endosperm, grain lysine and tryptophan content, seedling vigour, heat tolerance, photosynthetic rate, and heterosis. It is also associated with starch biosynthesis, amylose biosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, root gravitropism, and responses to abiotic stimuli. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to amylose content, grain quality, domestication, and head rice yield.