Abstract
β-Glucosidase (β-D-glucoside glucohydrolase, E.C. 3.2.1.21, β-Glu) isozyme variants were studied in a large number of inbred lines, crosses, and races of maize (Zea mays L.). The pattern of Mendelian inheritance demonstrated for β-GLU variants indicated that they are under nuclear gene control. Twenty-two allelic forms at a single locus were identified in the materials studied by starch gel electrophoresis. Genetic data indicate that β-GLU in maize is functionally a dimer. Variation of β-GLU isozymes in 51 racial collections of maize from Mexico showed little correlation with morphological or geographical data. In 39 collections from Central America, variation patterns appeared to have some association with altitude.
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This work was supported in part by NIH Research Grant GM 11546.
Paper No. 5040 of the Journal Series of the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, Raleigh, North Carolina.
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Stuber, C.W., Goodman, M.M. & Johnson, F.M. Genetic control and racial variation of β-glucosidase isozymes in maize (Zea mays L.). Biochem Genet 15, 383–394 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00484468
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00484468