H4 — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB428040, designated ZmH4 (also known as H4, HIS4, or ZmHIS4) on maize chromosome 10, encodes a core histone H4 protein that is a structural constituent of chromatin, possesses DNA-binding and protein heterodimerization activity, and localizes to the nucleus. This gene is associated with a wide range of biological processes including chromatin decompaction, DNA replication licensing, mitosis, cell fate determination, and chromatin remodeling, as well as metabolic pathways such as sucrose breakdown, the TCA cycle, fermentation, jasmonic acid anabolism, and the MAPK cascade. ZmH4 has been linked to several agronomically important traits, including grain yield, plant height, anthesis time, pollen fertility, heterosis, protein content, shoot fresh weight, and tolerance to salinity and heat stress. Studies of related genes in other species further connect this histone family to fundamental chromatin functions.