psbA — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB437750, the maize psbA gene on chromosome scaf_136, encodes the D1 protein of photosystem II, a core component of the photosynthetic reaction centre. This product has oxidoreductase activity acting on diphenols and related substances as donors, oxygen as acceptor, and exhibits oxygen-evolving activity, chlorophyll binding, electron transfer activity, and iron binding. The protein localises to the photosystem II complex within the chloroplast thylakoid membrane. psbA is associated with C4 photosynthesis, light absorption, plastid gene expression, membrane biogenesis, cellular respiration, nitrogen fixation, and ribosome hibernation. The gene has been linked to traits including net photosynthetic rate, quantum yield, chlorophyll content, leaf colour and curling, water use efficiency, stomatal resistance, drought tolerance, heterosis, cytoplasmic male sterility, and carbohydrate and protein content. Related genes in other species are associated with grain protein content.