Article
Plant Sciences
Hao Wu, Guosheng Li, Junpeng Zhan, Shanshan Zhang, Brandon D. Beall, Ramin Yadegari, Philip W. Becraft
Summary: This study discovered an intrachromosomal rearrangement between the r1 and nkd2 genes, and identified the effects of related expression patterns and mutant alleles on gene expression. Furthermore, it revealed that the regulatory sequences of the nkd2 gene may influence the expression of the r1 gene.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xuehang Xiong, Jianxin Li, Pingping Su, Haiyang Duan, Li Sun, Shuhao Xu, Yan Sun, Haidong Zhao, Xiaoyang Chen, Dong Ding, Xuehai Zhang, Jihua Tang
Summary: Through comparative analysis of GWAS models, this study identified 140 quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) associated with maize chlorophyll content, involving 481 genes and explaining 0.29-10.28% of phenotypic variation. The GRMZM2G110408 (ZmCCS3) gene was identified by multiple models and in multiple environments, and its encoded protein likely contributes to chlorophyll biosynthesis. These findings are important for ideotype-based breeding of new maize varieties with high photosynthetic efficiency.
Article
Plant Sciences
Abil Dermail, Thomas Lubberstedt, Willy Bayuardi Suwarno, Sompong Chankaew, Kamol Lertrat, Vinitchan Ruanjaichon, Khundej Suriharn
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the combining ability, line per se performance, and hybrid performance of three genetic pools in terms of haploid induction rate (HIR), R1-nj seed set, and agronomic traits. The results showed that the temperate inducer BHI306 was the best general combiner for HIR and R1-nj seed set.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nan Lu, Ji Hyung Jun, Ying Li, Richard A. Dixon
Summary: Maize possesses a unique proanthocyanidin (PA) biosynthetic pathway that produces rare stereoisomers, offering opportunities to enhance its nutritional value. Previous evidence of PA accumulation in maize has been limited, despite the presence of the key enzyme anthocyanidin reductase (ANR) involved in PA synthesis. In this study, a combination of analytical chemistry and genetic approaches confirmed the presence of a functional PA biosynthesis pathway in maize. Introduction of soybean ANR1 into maize seeds increased the levels of specific PA components, and the activation of PA biosynthesis in a maize inbred deficient in anthocyanin synthesis was achieved by integrating a Sorghum bicolor transcription factor (SbTT2) that regulates PA production. These findings highlight the potential for agricultural applications and the divergence of PA biosynthesis across plant species.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Jaclyn M. Noshay, Alexandre P. Marand, Sarah N. Anderson, Peng Zhou, Maria Katherine Mejia Guerra, Zefu Lu, Christine H. O'Connor, Peter A. Crisp, Candice N. Hirsch, Robert J. Schmitz, Nathan M. Springer
Summary: Transposable elements (TEs) can create regulatory variation in maize genomes by disrupting existing DNA regulatory elements and creating novel ones, potentially leading to changes in gene expression. The presence of TEs interspersed with genes in maize genomes offers opportunities for significant allelic variation. Some TEs carrying accessible chromatin regions (ACRs) have been found to be associated with higher expression of nearby genes, suggesting a role in providing novel regulatory elements. These findings highlight the potential for a subset of TEs to rewire transcriptional responses in eukaryotic genomes.
Article
Plant Sciences
Guangfei Zhou, Shunfa Li, Liang Ma, Fang Wang, Fuyan Jiang, Yali Sun, Xinsen Ruan, Yu Cao, Qing Wang, Yingying Zhang, Xingming Fan, Xiquan Gao
Summary: This study identified multiple minor-effect QTLs involved in the genetic component of resistance to Gibberella ear rot (GER), with both additive and epistatic effects contributing to the genetic architecture of resistance. A novel QTL, qGER4.09, was found to potentially confer resistance to multiple pathogens and could be utilized in breeding maize varieties for improved resistance to ear rot diseases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jianqin Xu, Xiaoxin Qin, Zhongfu Ni, Fanjun Chen, Xiuyi Fu, Futong Yu
Summary: In this study, QTL analysis using recombinant inbred line populations derived from zinc-efficient and zinc-inefficient inbred lines identified multiple loci associated with zinc deficiency tolerance in maize. Seventeen candidate genes involved in mechanisms underlying zinc deficiency tolerance were discovered, including genes related to zinc uptake and transport as well as those involved in auxin and ethylene signal pathways. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the genetic basis of zinc deficiency tolerance in maize.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Maud Fagny, Marieke Lydia Kuijjer, Maike Stam, Johann Joets, Olivier Turc, Julien Roziere, Stephanie Pateyron, Anthony Venon, Clementine Vitte
Summary: Enhancers play a key role in coordinating gene expression during important developmental processes. This study investigated the enhancer-driven regulatory network in maize leaves and husks at different growth stages, revealing tissue-specific regulatory modules and potential new TF binding sites. The findings shed light on the complexity of enhancer-mediated gene regulation in plants.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Xiaowei Wang, Xiaoyu Li, Jiatong Gu, Wenqi Shi, Haigen Zhao, Chen Sun, Songcai You
Summary: Drought and floods have significant impacts on maize growth and yield, posing a threat to food security. This study examined the drought and waterlogging conditions of spring maize in Northeast China using phenology, meteorological data, and spatial analysis. Results showed a decrease in effective precipitation in the region. Maize water requirements varied across different growth stages, with the highest demand during the flowering and silking stages. The study also identified the areas most prone to drought and waterlogging, providing valuable information for selecting drought-resistant varieties and implementing prevention measures.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jianqin Xu, Xiaoyang Zhu, Fang Yan, Huaqing Zhu, Xiuyu Zhou, Futong Yu
Summary: This study compared Fe-efficient and Fe-inefficient maize inbred lines to reveal physiological and genetic responses to low Fe stress, finding that supplying ammonium nitrate and nitrate nitrogen can promote maize growth and lower root Fe concentration.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Choonseok Lee, Yang-Seok Lee, Ha-Cheol Hong, Woo-Jong Hong, Hee-Jong Koh, Ki-Hong Jung
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between the accumulation of anthocyanin and the expression levels of genes related to anthocyanin biosynthesis in rice seeds. The analysis showed a positive correlation between the accumulation of anthocyanin and the expression levels of certain genes in black rice seeds. Furthermore, new potential transcription factors and structural genes were identified. This study enhances our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis in black rice seeds.
Article
Agronomy
Kevin De Haan, Myroslava Khomik, Adam Green, Warren Helgason, Merrin L. Macrae, Mazda Kompanizare, Richard M. Petrone
Summary: The study compares WUE estimates for alfalfa and maize, finding that input variables and plant physiology impact WUE calculations, and differences in carbon assimilation and water use variables can lead to varied estimates.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Honghui Guan, Xiaojing Chen, Kailiang Wang, Xuyang Liu, Dengfeng Zhang, Yongxiang Li, Yanchun Song, Yunsu Shi, Tianyu Wang, Chunhui Li, Yu Li
Summary: In this study, using a B73 x CML247 RILs population, four QTLs for tassel branch number (TBN) in maize were identified, and six candidate genes were found to be associated with TBN through expression analysis. The function of one candidate gene, ZmPAT7, was validated using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, and its loss-of-function lines showed a significant increase in TBN. Additionally, key SNP variation in the promoter region of ZmPAT7 and distant eQTLs associated with its expression were identified. These findings enhance our understanding of the genetic basis of tassel architecture and provide new gene resources for maize breeding improvement.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yong-xiang Li, Jiawen Lu, Cheng He, Xun Wu, Yu Cui, Lin Chen, Jie Zhang, Yuxin Xie, Yixin An, Xuyang Liu, Sihan Zhen, Yunjun Liu, Chunhui Li, Dengfeng Zhang, Yun-Su Shi, Yanchun Song, Jianhua Wang, Yu Li, Guoying Wang, Junjie Fu, Tianyu Wang
Summary: cis-regulatory variations play an important role in the regulation of maize kernel size. This study dissected the genetic architecture of maize kernel size using two independent association populations and transcriptomic and genotypic data. The results showed that cis-regulatory variations control kernel size by fine-tuning the expression of proximal genes, and the accumulation of favorable cis-regulatory variations contributes to the improvement of maize kernel size.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jianqin Xu, Xuejie Wang, Huaqing Zhu, Futong Yu
Summary: This study evaluated zinc efficiency in 20 maize inbred lines and conducted a QTL analysis to identify candidate genes associated with zinc deficiency tolerance, revealing 13 QTLs and genes responsible for zinc uptake and transport. The research provides new insights into the genetic basis of zinc deficiency tolerance.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
