BGAL1 — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB385210, designated ZmBGAL1 (also known as BGAL1, BGAL2, BGAL3, BGAL4, BGAL7, BGAL12, ZmBGAL2, ZmBGAL3, ZmBGAL4, and ZmBGAL12) on maize chromosome 9, encodes a beta-galactosidase enzyme (EC 3.2.1.23) with beta-galactosidase activity, sugar binding, transmembrane receptor protein serine/threonine kinase activity, and protein binding. The protein belongs to the glycoside hydrolase family 35 and contains a galactose-binding domain. ZmBGAL1 is associated with diverse biological processes including galactose breakdown, lateral root branching, aerenchyma formation, response to short-day, and nitrogen fixation. It localizes to the apoplast, plant-type cell wall, vacuole, plasmodesma, plastid, and secretory vesicle. The gene is linked to agronomically important traits such as grain yield, grain number, grain weight, plant height, spike length, biomass yield, drought tolerance, cold tolerance, water use efficiency, net photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, cellulose content, and brittle culm. Associations with xyloglucan structure, cell wall extension, leaf venation, and vascular development have also been noted.