Based on submission by Monika Frey to the MaizeGDB and the Maize Genetics Cooperation Newsletter.
Contents
Function Maize gene for first step in biosynthesis of benzoxazin, which aids in resistance to insect pests, pathogenic fungi and bacteria.
First report Hamilton 1964, as a mutant sensitive to the herbicide atrazine, and lacking benzoxazinoids (less than 1% of non-mutant plants).
Mutations in the bx1 gene reduce the resistance to first generation European corn borer that is conferred by benzoxazinoids. Molecular characterization reveals that the BX1 protein is a homologue to the alpha-subunit of tryptophan synthase. The reference mutant allele has a deletion of about 900 bp, located at the 5'-terminus and comprising sequence upstream of the transcription start site and the first exon. A second mutant allele is given by a Mu transposon insertion in the fourth exon (Frey et al. 1997 ). Gene sequence diversity analysis has been performed for 281 inbred lines of maize, and the results suggest that bx1 is responsible for much of the natural variation in DIMBOA (a benzoxazinoid compound) synthesis (Butron et al. 2010).
Map location
AB chromosome translocation analyses place on short arm of chromosome 4 (4S; Simcox and Weber 1985 ). There is close linkage to other genes in the benzoxazinoid synthesis pathway [bx2, bx3, bx4, bx5 Frey et al. 1995, 1997 ). Gene bx1 is 2490 bp from bx2 (Frey et al. 1997 ); between umc123 and agrc94 on 4S (Melanson et al. 1997 ). Mapping probes: SSR p-umc1022 (Sharopova et al. 2002 ); Overgo (physical map probe) PCO06449 (Gardiner et al. 2004 ).
Phenotypes
Mutants are viable, but may be distinguished from normal plants by FeCl3 staining: plants able to synthesize benzoxinoids have pale blue color when crushed and treated with FeCl3 solutions (Hamilton 1964, Simcox 1993 )
Gene Product
Catalyzes the first step in the synthesis of DIMBOA, forming indole from indole-3-glycerol phosphate. The enzyme is called indole-3-glycerol phosphate lyase, chloroplast, EC 4.1.2.8 and is located in the chloroplast. The X-ray structure of BX1 protein has been resolved and compared with bacterial TSA (tryptophan synthase alpha subunit, Kulik et al. 2005). Three homologs of the BX1 protein occur in maize. One is encoded by the gene tsa1, tryptophan synthase alpha1(Frey et al. 1997, Melanson et al. 1997 ), on chromosome 7, another by igl1, indole-3-glycerol phosphate1(Frey et al. 1997, on chromosome 1, and another by tsah1, 'TSA like" and located near the bx1 gene (Frey et al. 1997. ).