Zea mays inositol-pentakisphosphate 2-kinase 1 (ZmIpk1) (ZmIpk1)

Zea mays inositol-pentakisphosphate 2-kinase 1 (ZmIpk1) is a critical enzyme in the phytic acid (inositol hexakisphosphate, IP6) biosynthetic pathway in maize (Sun et al., 2007). It catalyzes the final phosphorylation step, converting inositol-1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate into IP6, which is the primary storage form of phosphorus in seeds (UniProt B4F9Y1). From a biotechnological perspective, ZmIpk1 is a major target for the development of low phytic acid (lpa) crops. Phytic acid is an anti-nutrient that chelates essential minerals like iron and zinc, reducing their bioavailability in humans and monogastric animals (Li et al., 2018). Furthermore, high levels of phytic acid in animal feed lead to excessive phosphorus excretion, contributing to environmental eutrophication. While no human therapeutic drugs currently target ZmIpk1, it is a primary focus for genetic engineering and CRISPR-Cas9 strategies aimed at improving grain nutritional quality and environmental sustainability (Shukla et al., 2004). The enzyme's activity is essential for phosphorus homeostasis, but its reduction is sought to enhance the nutritional profile of staple crops.

Other names

ZmIPK1Inositol-pentakisphosphate 2-kinase 1IPK1Zea mays IPK1Zm00001d033716

Catalytic conversion of inositol-1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate to inositol hexakisphosphate (phytic acid) via phosphorylation.