PNH — Zea mays

Summary

ZmPNH (ZM00001EB385810) on maize chromosome 9 encodes an Argonaute protein with RNA endonuclease activity and RNA binding, containing Piwi, PAZ, and RNaseH-like domains. This gene is associated with diverse biological processes including leaf formation, meristem determinacy, female meiotic nuclear division, microgametogenesis, trichome spacing and differentiation, floral organ and leaf abscission, dehiscence, oviposition, response to hormones and nutrients, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, demethylation, and protein processing. It localizes to the nucleus, cytoplasm, nucleolus, and NOR. ZmPNH is linked to agronomically important traits such as grain yield, grain weight, grain length and size, ear weight, seed size, anthesis time, inflorescence branching, rolled leaf, chlorophyll and lignin content, proline content, drought tolerance, and sensitivity to acid and abscisic acid. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to small RNA-mediated gene regulation.