SSA — Zea mays

Summary

ZmSSA (ZM00001EB392880) on maize chromosome 9 encodes a sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13) with additional DNA-binding and transcription factor activity. The gene is associated with sucrose biosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism, and has been linked to diverse processes including ethanol metabolism, anaerobic respiration, callose deposition in phloem sieve plates, carotene and glucan anabolism, and energy homeostasis. It localises to the cytosol, vacuole, plasmodesmata, plastid, mitochondria and cell wall. Associations with agronomically important traits include grain yield, seed weight, ear length, stay green, amylose and total soluble sugar content, net photosynthetic rate, drought sensitivity, and abscisic acid, brassinosteroid and auxin content. The gene is also linked to hypoxia response, fermentation, starch biosynthesis, callose content, and tolerance to high temperature, cold and osmotic stress.