Maize seed development

Using a forward genetic approach, we identified mutations in the maize ZmSUGCAR1 gene that was responsible for a poorly-filled defective-kernel phenotype. The ZmSUGCAR1 gene is a paralog of AtNPF7.3 and is specifically expressed in the BETL of maize kernels. Our discovery that ZmSUGCAR1 is capable of transporting sucrose and glucose adds sugars as substrate to the spectrum of NPF-class genes.