Article
Plant Sciences
Jihong Zhang, Yang Yue, Mingjian Hu, Fei Yi, Jian Chen, Jinsheng Lai, Beibei Xin
Summary: This study characterized the genome-wide transcriptome pattern of maize pericarp development using RNA-seq analysis. The results identified key regulators, pericarp-specific genes, and differentially expressed genes between pericarp and other tissues. These findings provide valuable insights into the genetic control of maize pericarp development.
Article
Plant Sciences
Sina Barghahn, Georgios Saridis, Melissa Mantz, Ute Meyer, Jaqueline C. Mellueh, Johana C. Misas Villamil, Pitter F. Huesgen, Gunther Doehlemann
Summary: This study analyzed the transcriptome, proteome, and N-terminome of Zea mays leaves treated with different substances to explore cell processes related to cell death and plant immunity. The results showed distinct and time-dependent biological processes being activated in response to different substances. The correlation analysis of the transcriptome and proteome identified general and trigger-specific markers for cell death in Zea mays. Additionally, specific regulation of proteases, particularly papain-like cysteine proteases, was observed during regulated cell death.
Article
Agronomy
Daniela Simoes, Eugenio Diogo, Eugenia de Andrade
Summary: Maize is an important staple crop worldwide, but it is highly susceptible to fungal infections, particularly by certain species of Fusarium. These infections can lead to significant reductions in yield and quality, as well as the production of mycotoxins. In Portugal and similar Mediterranean countries, F. verticillioides and F. subglutinans are the most common species infecting maize. However, the incidence of diseases and mycotoxin levels have increased, suggesting the presence of other mycotoxigenic Fusarium species or changes in exogenous conditions. Monitoring Fusarium species occurrence in the field is crucial to address these threats. A recent survey in Portugal identified the presence of F. andiyazi in maize crops for the first time, highlighting the need for further studies to prevent its spread and mitigate its impact on maize production and farmers' livelihoods.
Article
Plant Sciences
Julio S. S. Bernal, Anjel M. M. Helms, Ana A. A. Fontes-Puebla, Thomas J. J. DeWitt, Michael V. V. Kolomiets, John M. M. Grunseich
Summary: Domestication has a greater impact on the abundances and diversity of maize root volatiles than northward spread and modern breeding. The preference of the herbivore for maize roots is correlated with volatile diversity and herbivore resistance. Changes in abundances of individual volatiles are evident at the level of volatile groups, and maize domestication has the greatest effects.
Article
Agronomy
Jingwei Yan, Jing Li, Heping Zhang, Ya Liu, Aying Zhang
Summary: This study identified the function of the Zea mays WRKY transcription factor, ZmWRKY104, in salt stress response. ZmWRKY104 increases the salt tolerance of maize by regulating the expression of ZmSOD4.
Article
Plant Sciences
Alden C. Perkins, Jonathan P. Lynch
Summary: The research shows that seminal roots can improve the acquisition of nitrogen and phosphorus in maize seedlings, with increased seed size associated with maize domestication possibly facilitating the increase in seminal root number. The study also suggests that the optimal number of seminal roots for nutrient acquisition in teosinte is constrained by its limited seed carbohydrate reserves.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Takaki Yamauchi, Mikio Nakazono
Summary: Aerenchyma formation is crucial for oxygen diffusion in rice roots under low-oxygen conditions. Both ethylene and auxin hormones are involved in regulating aerenchyma formation in rice roots. The study found that ethylene-dependent aerenchyma formation is faster and rice roots have more aerenchyma, enabling efficient oxygen diffusion under low-oxygen conditions. Additionally, in rice, the expression levels of ethylene biosynthesis and responsive genes rapidly increase after root-cell emergence, contributing to the rapid induction of ethylene-dependent aerenchyma formation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Silin Wu, Steffen Greiner, Chongjian Ma, Jiaxin Zhong, Xiaojia Huang, Thomas Rausch, Hongbo Zhao
Summary: A Zm-6&1-FEH2 enzyme related to cell wall invertase has been identified in maize, showing substrate specificity for inulin and levan and being localized in the apoplast. The enzyme can hydrolyze 1-kestotriose, an oligofructan, and its expression is influenced by plant development, drought, and abscisic acid.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Haiyan Li, Huifang Tao, Yao Xiao, Li Qin, Chen Lan, Beijiu Cheng, Jeremy A. Roberts, Xuebin Zhang, Xiaoduo Lu
Summary: In this study, two dwarf mutants of Zea mays, xyl-1 and xyl-2, were identified and characterized. It was found that the mutated gene ZmXYL encodes an alpha-xylosidase which affects the xylose content and XXXG content in xyloglucan. The decreased xylose content and increased XXXG content led to reduced auxin levels, resulting in the dwarf phenotypes of the mutants.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Aldo Rosales, Aide Molina-Macedo, Mayolo Leyva, Felix San Vicente, Natalia Palacios-Rojas
Summary: Zinc deficiency is a major health challenge globally, especially in areas with limited access to diverse diets. This study examines the zinc content in maize kernels with different genetic backgrounds during kernel development. It is found that high-zinc kernel genotypes have higher zinc and iron contents during the milky stage. By consuming fresh maize biofortified with zinc, a significant portion of the nutrient needs for pregnant women and children can be fulfilled. These results highlight the potential of fresh high-zinc maize as a valuable source for addressing zinc deficiency.
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
Agronomy
Zalak Y. Chauhan, Sanjay N. Shah, Hiren K. Patel
Summary: Excessive use of chemical fertilizers leads to losses, inefficient utilization, and nutritional imbalance, while integrated nutrient management is the best alternative for repairing soil nutrient depletion.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eduardo Lujan-Soto, Paola Aguirre de la Cruz, Vasti T. Juarez-Gonzalez, Jose L. Reyes, Maria de la Paz Sanchez, Tzvetanka D. Dinkova
Summary: In recent years, miR528 has been found to play important roles in plant development and stress response. This study examined the transcription regulation and molecular mechanisms of MIR528 expression in maize, revealing conserved transcription factor binding sites and demonstrating the up-regulation of miR528 expression by exogenous nitrate and auxin treatments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ruiqiang Lai, Jieming Jiang, Jun Wang, Jinju Du, Jianbin Lai, Chengwei Yang
Summary: SUMOylation is a crucial post-translational modification that regulates protein substrates. The maize SIZ1 homologs ZmSIZ1a, ZmSIZ1b, and ZmSIZ1c were functionally characterized in this study, showing potential roles in development regulation and stress responses. Overexpression of ZmSIZ1c in Arabidopsis resulted in early flowering and improved salt tolerance, suggesting distinct functions among the ZmSIZ1 members.
JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Priscila R. dos Santos-Donado, Carlos M. Donado-Pestana, Rebeca Kawahara, Livia Rosa-Fernandes, Giuseppe Palmisano, Flavio Finardi-Filho
Summary: Biofortification has led to the development of quality protein maize (QPM) with essential amino acids. Study comparing QPM cultivars with a non-QPM hybrid in Brazil showed compositional equivalence with differential expression of proteins, indicating superior nutritional value and susceptibility to pathogens.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)