EE1 — Zea mays

Summary

ZmEE1 (ZM00001EB397960) on maize chromosome 9 encodes a phosphopyruvate hydratase (enolase; EC 4.2.1.11) with RNA folding chaperone, SUMO transferase, and DNA-binding activities, localizing to the cytosol, mitochondria, chloroplast stroma, and plasmodesmata. The gene is associated with C4 photosynthesis, aerenchyma formation, fermentation, water transport, and responses to flooding and starvation. It has been linked to grain yield, grain filling period, starch and soluble sugar content, heterosis, submergence tolerance, heat tolerance, low-temperature stress response, water use efficiency, stomatal resistance, pollen fertility, and leaf length. Studies of related genes in other species connect the enolase family to cold-responsive gene transcription, freezing tolerance, lignin biosynthesis, and male gametophyte function.