Mitochondria are semi-autonomous organelles present in eukaryotic cells,containing their own genome and transcriptional machinery.However,their functions are intricately linked to proteins encoded by the nuclear genom...Mitochondria are semi-autonomous organelles present in eukaryotic cells,containing their own genome and transcriptional machinery.However,their functions are intricately linked to proteins encoded by the nuclear genome.Mitochondrial transcription termination factors(mTERFs)are nucleic acid-binding proteins involved in RNA splicing and transcription termination within plant mitochondria and chloroplasts.Despite their recognized importance,the specific roles of mTERF proteins in maize remain largely unexplored.Here,we clone and functionally characterize the maize mTERF18 gene.Our findings reveal that mTERF18 mutations lead to severely undifferentiated embryos,resulting in abortive phenotypes.Early kernel exhibits abnormal basal endosperm transfer layer and a significant reduction in both starch and protein accumulation in mterf18.We identify the mTERF18 gene through mapping-based cloning and validate this gene through allelic tests.mTERF18 is widely expressed across various maize tissues and encodes a highly conserved mitochondrial protein.Transcriptome data reveal that mTERF18 mutations disrupt transcriptional termination of the nad6 gene,leading to undetectable levels of Nad6 protein and reduced complex I assembly and activity.Furthermore,transmission electron microscopy observation of mterf18 endosperm uncover severe mitochondrial defects.Collectively,these findings highlight the critical role of mTERF18 in mitochondrial gene transcription termination and its pivotal impact on maize kernel development.展开更多
Arogenate dehydratase(ADT)catalyzes the final step in phenylalanine synthesis and is crucial for plant development and metabolism.Previously,we demonstrated that the ADT/prephenate dehydratase ZmADT2 is essential for ...Arogenate dehydratase(ADT)catalyzes the final step in phenylalanine synthesis and is crucial for plant development and metabolism.Previously,we demonstrated that the ADT/prephenate dehydratase ZmADT2 is essential for maize resistance to Ustilago maydis and for overall plant development.In this study,we explored the role of ZmADT2 in maize kernel development.The mmsu mutant,a dysfunctional ZmADT2 variant,exhibits delayed embryo and endosperm development,along with deficiencies in carbohydrate and protein storage.Transcriptome analysis revealed differential expression of many kernel compartment-specific genes between mmsu and wild-type(WT)kernels,with impaired nutrient accumulation and auxin signaling pathway in the mmsu endosperm.Compared to WT,ZmADT2 mutation led to reduced auxin levels and smaller endosperm cell size.Exogenous auxin rescued the small kernel phenotype of mmsu.Additionally,auxin distribution was reduced in the basal endosperm transfer layer(BETL),causing defects in its development and function,including reduced transfer cell elongation,cell wall ingrowth and nutrient uptake.These findings suggest that ZmADT2 mediated mediates an auxin signaling pathway that is essential for maize kernel development.展开更多
Chromatin accessibility plays a vital role in gene transcriptional regulation.However,the regulatory mechanism of chromatin accessibility,as well as its role in regulating crucial gene expression and kernel developmen...Chromatin accessibility plays a vital role in gene transcriptional regulation.However,the regulatory mechanism of chromatin accessibility,as well as its role in regulating crucial gene expression and kernel development in maize(Zea mays)are poorly understood.In this study,we isolated a maize kernel mutant designated as defective kernel219(dek219),which displays opaque endosperm and embryo abortion.Dek219 encodes the DICER-LIKE1(DCL1)protein,an essential enzyme in mi RNA biogenesis.Loss of function of Dek219 results in significant reductions in the expression levels of most mi RNAs and histone genes.Further research showed that the Heat shock transcription factor17(Hsf17)-Zm00001d016571 module may be one of the factors affecting the expression of histone genes.Assay results for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing(ATAC-seq)indicated that the chromatin accessibility of dek219 is altered compared with that of wild type(WT),which may regulate the expression of crucial genes in kernel development.By analyzing differentially expressed genes(DEGs)and differentially accessible chromatin regions(ACRs)between WT and dek219,we identified 119 candidate genes that are regulated by chromatin accessibility,including some reported to be crucial genes for kernel development.Taken together,these results suggest that Dek219 affects chromatin accessibility and the expression of crucial genes that are required for maize kernel development.展开更多
Wheat is one of the major food crops in the world.Functional validation of the genes in increasing the grain yield of wheat by genetic engineering is essential for feeding the ever-growing global population.This study...Wheat is one of the major food crops in the world.Functional validation of the genes in increasing the grain yield of wheat by genetic engineering is essential for feeding the ever-growing global population.This study investigated the role of ABP7,a bHLH transcription factor from maize involved in kernel development,in regulating grain yield-related traits in transgenic wheat.Molecular characterization showed that transgenic lines HB123 and HB287 contained multicopy integration of ABP7 in the genome with higher transgene expression.At the same time,QB205 was a transgenic event of single copy insertion with no significant difference in ABP7 expression compared to wild-type(WT) plants.Phenotyping under field conditions showed that ABP7 over-expressing transgenic lines HB123 and HB287 exhibited improved grain yield-related traits(e.g.,grain number per spike,grain weight per spike,thousand-grain weight,grain length,and grain width) and increased grain yield per plot,compared to WT plants,whereas line QB205 did not.In addition,total chlorophyll,chlorophyll a,chlorophyll b,and total soluble sugars were largely increased in the flag leaves of both HB123and HB287 transgenic lines compared to the WT.These results strongly suggest that ABP7 positively regulates yieldrelated traits and plot grain yield in transgenic wheat.Consequently,ABP7 can be utilized in wheat breeding for grain yield improvement.展开更多
Despite recent advances in crop metabolomics,the genetic control and molecular basis of the wheat kernel metabolome at different developmental stages remain largely unknown.Here,we performed widely tar-geted metabolit...Despite recent advances in crop metabolomics,the genetic control and molecular basis of the wheat kernel metabolome at different developmental stages remain largely unknown.Here,we performed widely tar-geted metabolite profiling of kernels from three developmental stages(grain-filling kernels[FKs],mature kernels[MKs],and germinating kernels[GKs])using a population of 159 recombinant inbred lines.We de-tected 625 annotated metabolites and mapped 3173,3143,and 2644 metabolite quantitative trait loci(mQTLs)in FKs,MKs,and GKs,respectively.Only 52 mQTLs were mapped at all three stages,indicating the high stage specificity of the wheat kernel metabolome.Four candidate genes were functionally vali-dated by in vitro enzymatic reactions and/or transgenic approaches in wheat,three of which mediated the tricin metabolic pathway.Metaboliteflux efficiencies within the tricin pathway were evaluated,and su-perior candidate haplotypes were identified,comprehensively delineating the tricin metabolism pathway in wheat.Finally,additional wheat metabolic pathways were re-constructed by updating them to incorporate the 177 candidate genes identified in this study.Our work provides new information on variations in the wheat kernel metabolome and important molecular resources for improvement of wheat nutritional quality.展开更多
Transcription factors play critical roles in the regulation of gene expression during maize kernel development.The maize endosperm,a large storage organ,accounting for nearly 90%of the dry weight of mature kernels,ser...Transcription factors play critical roles in the regulation of gene expression during maize kernel development.The maize endosperm,a large storage organ,accounting for nearly 90%of the dry weight of mature kernels,serves as the primary site for starch storage.In this study,we identify an endosperm-specific EREB gene,ZmEREB167,which encodes a nucleus-localized EREB protein.Knockout of ZmEREB167 significantly increases kernel size and weight,as well as starch and protein content,compared with the wild type.In situ hybridization experiments show that ZmEREB167 is highly expressed in the BETL as well as PED regions of maize kernels.Dual-luciferase assays show that ZmEREB167 exhibits transcriptionally repressor activity in maize protoplasts.Transcriptome analysis reveals that a large number of genes are up-regulated in the Zmereb167-C1 mutant compared with the wild type,including key genetic factors such as ZmMRP-1 and ZmMN1,as well as multiple transporters involved in maize endosperm development.Integration of RNA-seq and ChIP-seq results identify 68 target genes modulated by ZmEREB167.We find that ZmEREB167 directly targets OPAQUE2,ZmNRT1.1,ZmIAA12,ZmIAA19,and ZmbZIP20,repressing their expressions.Our study demonstrates that ZmEREB167 functions as a negative regulator in maize endosperm development and affects starch accumulation and kernel size.展开更多
Genome information from model species such as rice can assist in the cloning of genes in a complex genome, such as maize. Here, we identified a maize ortholog of rice GS5 that contributes to kernel development in maiz...Genome information from model species such as rice can assist in the cloning of genes in a complex genome, such as maize. Here, we identified a maize ortholog of rice GS5 that contributes to kernel development in maize. The genome- wide association analysis of the expression levels of ZmGSs, and 15 of its 26 paralogs, identified a trans-regulator on chromosome 7, which was a BAK1-1ike gene. This gene that we named as ZmBAK1-7 could regulate the expression of ZmGS5 and three of the paralogs. Candidate-gene association analyses revealed that these five genes were associated with maize kernel development-related traits. Linkage analyses also detected that ZINGS5 and ZmI3AK1-7 co-localized with mapped QTLs. A transgenic analysis of ZINGS5 in Arabidopsis thaliana L. showed a significant increase in seed weight and cell number, suggesting that 2mG55 may have a conserved function among different plant species that affects seed development.展开更多
Regulation of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level is of crucial importance in the development of an organism. Here we present the characterization of a maize gene, U6 biogenesis-like 1 （UBL1）, which pl...Regulation of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level is of crucial importance in the development of an organism. Here we present the characterization of a maize gene, U6 biogenesis-like 1 （UBL1）, which plays an important role in kernel and seedling development by influencing pre-mRNA splicing. The ubll mutant, exhibiting small kernel and weak seedling, was isolated from a Mutator-tagged population. Trans- genic complementation and three independent mutant alleles confirmed that UBL1, which encodes a putative RNA exonuclease belonging to the 2H phosphodiesterase superfamily, is responsible for the phenotype of ubll. We demonstrated that UBL1 possess the RNA exonuclease activity in vitro and found that loss of UBL1 function in ubll causes decreased level and abnormal 3＇ end constitution of snRNA U6, resulting in splicing defect of mRNAs. Through the in vitro and in vivo studies replacing two histidines with alanines in the H-X-T/S-X （X is a hydrophobic residue） motifs we demonstrated that these two motifs are essential for the normal function of UBL1. We further showed that the function of UBL1 may be conserved across a wide phylogenetic distance as the heterologous expression of maize UBL1 could complement the Arabidopsis ubll mutant.展开更多
Maize genotypes vary significantly in their nitrogen use efficiencies（NUEs）.Better understanding of early grain filling characteristics of maize is important,especially for maize with different NUEs.The objectives o...Maize genotypes vary significantly in their nitrogen use efficiencies（NUEs）.Better understanding of early grain filling characteristics of maize is important,especially for maize with different NUEs.The objectives of this research were（i）to investigate the difference in apical kernel development of maize with different NUEs,（ii）to determine the reaction of apical kernel development to N application levels,and（iii）to evaluate the relationship between apical kernel development and grain yield（GY）for different genotypes of maize.Three maize hybrid varieties with different NUEs were cultivated in a field with different levels of N fertilizer arranged during two growing seasons.Kernel fresh weight（KFW）,volume（KV）and dry weight（KDW）of apical kernel were evaluated at an early grain filling stage.Ear characteristics,GY and its components were determined at maturity stage.Apical kernel of the high N and high efficiency（HN-HE）type（under low N,the yield is lower,and under higher N,the yield is higher）developed better under high N（N210 and N240,pure N of 210 and 240 kg ha^–1）than at low N（N120 and N140,pure N of 120 and 140 kg ha^–1）.The low N and high efficiency（LN-HE）type（under low N,the yield is higher,while under higher N,the yield is not significantly higher）developed better under low N than at high N.The double high efficiency（D-HE）type（for both low and high N,the yield is higher）performed well under both high and low N.Apical kernel reacted differently to the N supply.Apical kernel developed well at an early grain filling stage and resulted in a higher kernel number（KN）,kernel weight（KW）and GY with better ear characteristics at maturity.展开更多
The grain of rye(Secale cereale L.) used for baking contains a large amount of non-starch polysaccharides,making it an excellent component of functional foods. But rye grain intended for alcohol production and forage ...The grain of rye(Secale cereale L.) used for baking contains a large amount of non-starch polysaccharides,making it an excellent component of functional foods. But rye grain intended for alcohol production and forage use should have a reduced content of these polysaccharides. A comprehensive parameter that can predict the best field of application for winter rye grain is the viscosity of its wholemeal water extract.However, our understanding of the genetic background underlying this key trait and associated features of rye grain is poor. By analyzing six Russian winter rye cultivars, we identified the most contrasting forms and characterized the peculiarities of their water-soluble carbohydrates capable of influencing the viscosity of water extracts. Then, using phylogenetic and transcriptomic analyses, we identified in the rye genome many genes encoding putative glycosyltransferases and glycosylhydrolases responsible for the synthesis and degradation of arabinoxylans, mixed-linkage glucans, cellulose, and some other polysaccharides. We determined the dynamics of m RNA abundance for these genes at three stages of kernel development. Comparisons of gene expression levels in two contrasting cultivars revealed specific members of multigene families that may serve as promising targets for manipulating non-starch polysaccharide content in rye grain. High-viscosity cultivars were characterized by up-regulation of many glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of arabinoxylans and other cell-wall polysaccharides,whereas low-viscosity cultivars showed up-regulation of several genes encoding polysaccharidedegrading enzymes.展开更多
RNA editing is a posttranscriptional process that is important in mitochondria and plastids of higher plants. All RNA editing-specific trans-factors reported so far belong to PLS-class of pentatricopeptide repeat(PPR)...RNA editing is a posttranscriptional process that is important in mitochondria and plastids of higher plants. All RNA editing-specific trans-factors reported so far belong to PLS-class of pentatricopeptide repeat(PPR)proteins. Here, we report the map-based cloning and molecular characterization of a defective kernel mutant dek39 in maize. Loss of Dek39 function leads to delayed embryogenesis and endosperm development, reduced kernel size, and seedling lethality. Dek39 encodes an E subclass PPR protein that targets to both mitochondria and chloroplasts, and is involved in RNA editing in mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase3(nad3) at nad3-247 and nad3-275. C-to-U editing of nad3-275 is not conserved and even lost in Arabidopsis, consistent with the idea that no close DEK39 homologs are present in Arabidopsis. However, the amino acids generated by editing nad3-247 and nad3-275 are highly conserved in many other plant species, and the reductions of editing at these two sites decrease the activity of mitochondria NADH dehydrogenase complex I,indicating that the alteration of amino acid sequence is necessary for Nad3 function. Our results indicate that Dek39 encodes an E sub-class PPR protein that is involved in RNA editing of multiple sites and is necessary for seed development of maize.展开更多
In plants, proper seed development and the continuing post-embryonic organogenesis both require that dif- ferent cell types are correctly differentiated in response to internal and external stimuli. Among internal sti...In plants, proper seed development and the continuing post-embryonic organogenesis both require that dif- ferent cell types are correctly differentiated in response to internal and external stimuli. Among internal stimuli, plant hormones and particularly auxin and its polar transport （PAT） have been shown to regulate a multitude of plant phys- iological processes during vegetative and reproductive development. Although our current auxin knowledge is almost based on the results from researches on the eudicot Arabidopsis thaliana, during the last few years, many studies tried to transfer this knowledge from model to crop species, maize in particular. Applications of auxin transport inhibitors, mutant characterization, and molecular and cell biology approaches, facilitated by the sequencing of the maize genome, allowed the identification of genes involved in auxin metabolism, signaling, and particularly in polar auxin transport. PIN auxin efflux carriers have been shown to play an essential role in regulating PAT during both seed and post-embryonic development in maize. In this review, we provide a summary of the recent findings on PIN-mediated polar auxin transport during maize development. Similarities and differences between maize and Arabidopsis are analyzed and discussed, also considering that their different plant architecture depends on the differentiation of structures whose development is con- trolled by auxins.展开更多
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFF1000304)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32222060)Anhui Agricultural University(RC422404)to J.Y.
文摘Mitochondria are semi-autonomous organelles present in eukaryotic cells,containing their own genome and transcriptional machinery.However,their functions are intricately linked to proteins encoded by the nuclear genome.Mitochondrial transcription termination factors(mTERFs)are nucleic acid-binding proteins involved in RNA splicing and transcription termination within plant mitochondria and chloroplasts.Despite their recognized importance,the specific roles of mTERF proteins in maize remain largely unexplored.Here,we clone and functionally characterize the maize mTERF18 gene.Our findings reveal that mTERF18 mutations lead to severely undifferentiated embryos,resulting in abortive phenotypes.Early kernel exhibits abnormal basal endosperm transfer layer and a significant reduction in both starch and protein accumulation in mterf18.We identify the mTERF18 gene through mapping-based cloning and validate this gene through allelic tests.mTERF18 is widely expressed across various maize tissues and encodes a highly conserved mitochondrial protein.Transcriptome data reveal that mTERF18 mutations disrupt transcriptional termination of the nad6 gene,leading to undetectable levels of Nad6 protein and reduced complex I assembly and activity.Furthermore,transmission electron microscopy observation of mterf18 endosperm uncover severe mitochondrial defects.Collectively,these findings highlight the critical role of mTERF18 in mitochondrial gene transcription termination and its pivotal impact on maize kernel development.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32071921)Key R&D Program of Shandong Province,China(2021LZGC022)Taishan Scholars Project(ts201712024).
文摘Arogenate dehydratase(ADT)catalyzes the final step in phenylalanine synthesis and is crucial for plant development and metabolism.Previously,we demonstrated that the ADT/prephenate dehydratase ZmADT2 is essential for maize resistance to Ustilago maydis and for overall plant development.In this study,we explored the role of ZmADT2 in maize kernel development.The mmsu mutant,a dysfunctional ZmADT2 variant,exhibits delayed embryo and endosperm development,along with deficiencies in carbohydrate and protein storage.Transcriptome analysis revealed differential expression of many kernel compartment-specific genes between mmsu and wild-type(WT)kernels,with impaired nutrient accumulation and auxin signaling pathway in the mmsu endosperm.Compared to WT,ZmADT2 mutation led to reduced auxin levels and smaller endosperm cell size.Exogenous auxin rescued the small kernel phenotype of mmsu.Additionally,auxin distribution was reduced in the basal endosperm transfer layer(BETL),causing defects in its development and function,including reduced transfer cell elongation,cell wall ingrowth and nutrient uptake.These findings suggest that ZmADT2 mediated mediates an auxin signaling pathway that is essential for maize kernel development.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32072071)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFF1000304)。
文摘Chromatin accessibility plays a vital role in gene transcriptional regulation.However,the regulatory mechanism of chromatin accessibility,as well as its role in regulating crucial gene expression and kernel development in maize(Zea mays)are poorly understood.In this study,we isolated a maize kernel mutant designated as defective kernel219(dek219),which displays opaque endosperm and embryo abortion.Dek219 encodes the DICER-LIKE1(DCL1)protein,an essential enzyme in mi RNA biogenesis.Loss of function of Dek219 results in significant reductions in the expression levels of most mi RNAs and histone genes.Further research showed that the Heat shock transcription factor17(Hsf17)-Zm00001d016571 module may be one of the factors affecting the expression of histone genes.Assay results for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing(ATAC-seq)indicated that the chromatin accessibility of dek219 is altered compared with that of wild type(WT),which may regulate the expression of crucial genes in kernel development.By analyzing differentially expressed genes(DEGs)and differentially accessible chromatin regions(ACRs)between WT and dek219,we identified 119 candidate genes that are regulated by chromatin accessibility,including some reported to be crucial genes for kernel development.Taken together,these results suggest that Dek219 affects chromatin accessibility and the expression of crucial genes that are required for maize kernel development.
文摘Wheat is one of the major food crops in the world.Functional validation of the genes in increasing the grain yield of wheat by genetic engineering is essential for feeding the ever-growing global population.This study investigated the role of ABP7,a bHLH transcription factor from maize involved in kernel development,in regulating grain yield-related traits in transgenic wheat.Molecular characterization showed that transgenic lines HB123 and HB287 contained multicopy integration of ABP7 in the genome with higher transgene expression.At the same time,QB205 was a transgenic event of single copy insertion with no significant difference in ABP7 expression compared to wild-type(WT) plants.Phenotyping under field conditions showed that ABP7 over-expressing transgenic lines HB123 and HB287 exhibited improved grain yield-related traits(e.g.,grain number per spike,grain weight per spike,thousand-grain weight,grain length,and grain width) and increased grain yield per plot,compared to WT plants,whereas line QB205 did not.In addition,total chlorophyll,chlorophyll a,chlorophyll b,and total soluble sugars were largely increased in the flag leaves of both HB123and HB287 transgenic lines compared to the WT.These results strongly suggest that ABP7 positively regulates yieldrelated traits and plot grain yield in transgenic wheat.Consequently,ABP7 can be utilized in wheat breeding for grain yield improvement.
基金supported by the National Major Program of China (2023ZD0406903)the Natural Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scientists of Hubei Province (2021CFA058)+2 种基金the Young Topnotch Talent Cultivation Program of Hubei Provincethe National Natural Science Foundation of China (32001541)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2021T140246).
文摘Despite recent advances in crop metabolomics,the genetic control and molecular basis of the wheat kernel metabolome at different developmental stages remain largely unknown.Here,we performed widely tar-geted metabolite profiling of kernels from three developmental stages(grain-filling kernels[FKs],mature kernels[MKs],and germinating kernels[GKs])using a population of 159 recombinant inbred lines.We de-tected 625 annotated metabolites and mapped 3173,3143,and 2644 metabolite quantitative trait loci(mQTLs)in FKs,MKs,and GKs,respectively.Only 52 mQTLs were mapped at all three stages,indicating the high stage specificity of the wheat kernel metabolome.Four candidate genes were functionally vali-dated by in vitro enzymatic reactions and/or transgenic approaches in wheat,three of which mediated the tricin metabolic pathway.Metaboliteflux efficiencies within the tricin pathway were evaluated,and su-perior candidate haplotypes were identified,comprehensively delineating the tricin metabolism pathway in wheat.Finally,additional wheat metabolic pathways were re-constructed by updating them to incorporate the 177 candidate genes identified in this study.Our work provides new information on variations in the wheat kernel metabolome and important molecular resources for improvement of wheat nutritional quality.
基金supported by STI 2030-Major Project(2023ZD04069)National Key Research and Development Program of China(2023YFD1202900)+3 种基金The National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars(32425041)The“Breakthrough”Science and Technology Project of Tongliao(TL2024TW001)Science and Technology Demonstration Project of Shandong Province(2024SFGC0402)Pinduoduo-China Agricultural University Research Fund(PC2023A01004).
文摘Transcription factors play critical roles in the regulation of gene expression during maize kernel development.The maize endosperm,a large storage organ,accounting for nearly 90%of the dry weight of mature kernels,serves as the primary site for starch storage.In this study,we identify an endosperm-specific EREB gene,ZmEREB167,which encodes a nucleus-localized EREB protein.Knockout of ZmEREB167 significantly increases kernel size and weight,as well as starch and protein content,compared with the wild type.In situ hybridization experiments show that ZmEREB167 is highly expressed in the BETL as well as PED regions of maize kernels.Dual-luciferase assays show that ZmEREB167 exhibits transcriptionally repressor activity in maize protoplasts.Transcriptome analysis reveals that a large number of genes are up-regulated in the Zmereb167-C1 mutant compared with the wild type,including key genetic factors such as ZmMRP-1 and ZmMN1,as well as multiple transporters involved in maize endosperm development.Integration of RNA-seq and ChIP-seq results identify 68 target genes modulated by ZmEREB167.We find that ZmEREB167 directly targets OPAQUE2,ZmNRT1.1,ZmIAA12,ZmIAA19,and ZmbZIP20,repressing their expressions.Our study demonstrates that ZmEREB167 functions as a negative regulator in maize endosperm development and affects starch accumulation and kernel size.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31222041)the National Hi-Tech Research and Development Program of China (2012AA10A307)
文摘Genome information from model species such as rice can assist in the cloning of genes in a complex genome, such as maize. Here, we identified a maize ortholog of rice GS5 that contributes to kernel development in maize. The genome- wide association analysis of the expression levels of ZmGSs, and 15 of its 26 paralogs, identified a trans-regulator on chromosome 7, which was a BAK1-1ike gene. This gene that we named as ZmBAK1-7 could regulate the expression of ZmGS5 and three of the paralogs. Candidate-gene association analyses revealed that these five genes were associated with maize kernel development-related traits. Linkage analyses also detected that ZINGS5 and ZmI3AK1-7 co-localized with mapped QTLs. A transgenic analysis of ZINGS5 in Arabidopsis thaliana L. showed a significant increase in seed weight and cell number, suggesting that 2mG55 may have a conserved function among different plant species that affects seed development.
文摘Regulation of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level is of crucial importance in the development of an organism. Here we present the characterization of a maize gene, U6 biogenesis-like 1 （UBL1）, which plays an important role in kernel and seedling development by influencing pre-mRNA splicing. The ubll mutant, exhibiting small kernel and weak seedling, was isolated from a Mutator-tagged population. Trans- genic complementation and three independent mutant alleles confirmed that UBL1, which encodes a putative RNA exonuclease belonging to the 2H phosphodiesterase superfamily, is responsible for the phenotype of ubll. We demonstrated that UBL1 possess the RNA exonuclease activity in vitro and found that loss of UBL1 function in ubll causes decreased level and abnormal 3＇ end constitution of snRNA U6, resulting in splicing defect of mRNAs. Through the in vitro and in vivo studies replacing two histidines with alanines in the H-X-T/S-X （X is a hydrophobic residue） motifs we demonstrated that these two motifs are essential for the normal function of UBL1. We further showed that the function of UBL1 may be conserved across a wide phylogenetic distance as the heterologous expression of maize UBL1 could complement the Arabidopsis ubll mutant.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31271645)the Agricultural Science and Technology Project of Shanxi Province, China (20140311007-4)
文摘Maize genotypes vary significantly in their nitrogen use efficiencies（NUEs）.Better understanding of early grain filling characteristics of maize is important,especially for maize with different NUEs.The objectives of this research were（i）to investigate the difference in apical kernel development of maize with different NUEs,（ii）to determine the reaction of apical kernel development to N application levels,and（iii）to evaluate the relationship between apical kernel development and grain yield（GY）for different genotypes of maize.Three maize hybrid varieties with different NUEs were cultivated in a field with different levels of N fertilizer arranged during two growing seasons.Kernel fresh weight（KFW）,volume（KV）and dry weight（KDW）of apical kernel were evaluated at an early grain filling stage.Ear characteristics,GY and its components were determined at maturity stage.Apical kernel of the high N and high efficiency（HN-HE）type（under low N,the yield is lower,and under higher N,the yield is higher）developed better under high N（N210 and N240,pure N of 210 and 240 kg ha^–1）than at low N（N120 and N140,pure N of 120 and 140 kg ha^–1）.The low N and high efficiency（LN-HE）type（under low N,the yield is higher,while under higher N,the yield is not significantly higher）developed better under low N than at high N.The double high efficiency（D-HE）type（for both low and high N,the yield is higher）performed well under both high and low N.Apical kernel reacted differently to the N supply.Apical kernel developed well at an early grain filling stage and resulted in a higher kernel number（KN）,kernel weight（KW）and GY with better ear characteristics at maturity.
基金supported by Russian Foundation for Basic Research with project number of i_m_17-29-08023(Liudmila V.Kozlova,Alsu R.Nazipova,Oleg V.Gorshkov,Liliya F.Gilmullina,Natalia V.Petrova,Sergey N.Ponomarev,Mira L.Ponomareva,Tatyana A.Gorshkova)Part of work(immunodot binding assay,Olga V.Sautkina+1 种基金monosaccharide analysis,Oksana I.Trofimovaviscosity of water extract determination,Liliya F.Gilmullina)was performed with financial support from the government assignment for FRC Kazan Scientific Center of RAS。
文摘The grain of rye(Secale cereale L.) used for baking contains a large amount of non-starch polysaccharides,making it an excellent component of functional foods. But rye grain intended for alcohol production and forage use should have a reduced content of these polysaccharides. A comprehensive parameter that can predict the best field of application for winter rye grain is the viscosity of its wholemeal water extract.However, our understanding of the genetic background underlying this key trait and associated features of rye grain is poor. By analyzing six Russian winter rye cultivars, we identified the most contrasting forms and characterized the peculiarities of their water-soluble carbohydrates capable of influencing the viscosity of water extracts. Then, using phylogenetic and transcriptomic analyses, we identified in the rye genome many genes encoding putative glycosyltransferases and glycosylhydrolases responsible for the synthesis and degradation of arabinoxylans, mixed-linkage glucans, cellulose, and some other polysaccharides. We determined the dynamics of m RNA abundance for these genes at three stages of kernel development. Comparisons of gene expression levels in two contrasting cultivars revealed specific members of multigene families that may serve as promising targets for manipulating non-starch polysaccharide content in rye grain. High-viscosity cultivars were characterized by up-regulation of many glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of arabinoxylans and other cell-wall polysaccharides,whereas low-viscosity cultivars showed up-regulation of several genes encoding polysaccharidedegrading enzymes.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (91435206 31421005)+1 种基金National Key Technologies Research & Development ProgramSeven Major Crops Breeding Project (2016YFD0101803, 2016YFD0100404)the 948 project (2016-X33)
文摘RNA editing is a posttranscriptional process that is important in mitochondria and plastids of higher plants. All RNA editing-specific trans-factors reported so far belong to PLS-class of pentatricopeptide repeat(PPR)proteins. Here, we report the map-based cloning and molecular characterization of a defective kernel mutant dek39 in maize. Loss of Dek39 function leads to delayed embryogenesis and endosperm development, reduced kernel size, and seedling lethality. Dek39 encodes an E subclass PPR protein that targets to both mitochondria and chloroplasts, and is involved in RNA editing in mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase3(nad3) at nad3-247 and nad3-275. C-to-U editing of nad3-275 is not conserved and even lost in Arabidopsis, consistent with the idea that no close DEK39 homologs are present in Arabidopsis. However, the amino acids generated by editing nad3-247 and nad3-275 are highly conserved in many other plant species, and the reductions of editing at these two sites decrease the activity of mitochondria NADH dehydrogenase complex I,indicating that the alteration of amino acid sequence is necessary for Nad3 function. Our results indicate that Dek39 encodes an E sub-class PPR protein that is involved in RNA editing of multiple sites and is necessary for seed development of maize.
文摘In plants, proper seed development and the continuing post-embryonic organogenesis both require that dif- ferent cell types are correctly differentiated in response to internal and external stimuli. Among internal stimuli, plant hormones and particularly auxin and its polar transport （PAT） have been shown to regulate a multitude of plant phys- iological processes during vegetative and reproductive development. Although our current auxin knowledge is almost based on the results from researches on the eudicot Arabidopsis thaliana, during the last few years, many studies tried to transfer this knowledge from model to crop species, maize in particular. Applications of auxin transport inhibitors, mutant characterization, and molecular and cell biology approaches, facilitated by the sequencing of the maize genome, allowed the identification of genes involved in auxin metabolism, signaling, and particularly in polar auxin transport. PIN auxin efflux carriers have been shown to play an essential role in regulating PAT during both seed and post-embryonic development in maize. In this review, we provide a summary of the recent findings on PIN-mediated polar auxin transport during maize development. Similarities and differences between maize and Arabidopsis are analyzed and discussed, also considering that their different plant architecture depends on the differentiation of structures whose development is con- trolled by auxins.
