The development of maize(Zea mays)kernels is a complex physiological process regulated by numerous genes in a spatially and temporally coordinated manner.However,many regulatory genes involved in this process remain u...The development of maize(Zea mays)kernels is a complex physiological process regulated by numerous genes in a spatially and temporally coordinated manner.However,many regulatory genes involved in this process remain unidentified.In this study,we identified ZmZFP2,a gene encoding a C4HC3-type RING zinc finger protein,which regulates kernel size and weight.This discovery was based on suppression subtractive hybridization from maize endosperm in our previous research.We further investigated the role of ZmZFP2 in regulating kernel development.The zmzfp2-ems mutant exhibited significantly reduced kernel size and weight,accompanied by fewer endosperm cells and altered starch and protein accumulation.CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockouts and overexpression lines confirmed that ZmZFP2 positively regulates kernel size and weight,with overexpression leading to increased kernel size and weight.Transcriptome analysis revealed that ZmZFP2 regulates genes involved in zeatin biosynthesis,starch metabolism,and protein processing,further supporting its role in kernel development.Additionally,ZmZFP2 was shown to interact with the transcription factor ZmEREB98,implicating it in the gene regulatory network during grain filling.Together,these findings demonstrate that ZmZFP2 is a key regulator of maize kernel size and weight,functioning through its E3 ubiquitin ligase activity and interactions with various metabolic pathways.This study provides novel insights into the genetic regulation of kernel development and presents potential strategies for improving maize yield and quality.展开更多
Although the genetic basis for endosperm development in maize(Zea mays)has been well studied,the mechanism for coordinating grain filling with increasing kernel size remains elusive.Here,we report that increased kerne...Although the genetic basis for endosperm development in maize(Zea mays)has been well studied,the mechanism for coordinating grain filling with increasing kernel size remains elusive.Here,we report that increased kernel size was selected during modern breeding and identify a novel DELLA-like transcriptional regulator,ZmGRAS11,which positively regulates kernel size and kernel weight in maize.We find that Opaque2,a core transcription factor for zein protein and starch accumulation,transactivates the expression of Zm GRAS11.Our data suggest that the Opaque2-Zm GRAS11 module mediates synergistic endosperm enlargement with grain filling.展开更多
The embryo in maize has a critical role in controlling kernel nutrition components and grain yield.We measured five embryo weight and size traits,six kernel weight and size traits,and five embryo-tokernel ratio traits...The embryo in maize has a critical role in controlling kernel nutrition components and grain yield.We measured five embryo weight and size traits,six kernel weight and size traits,and five embryo-tokernel ratio traits in a nested association mapping(NAM)population of 611 recombinant inbred lines(RILs)derived from four inbred lines including the high-oil,giant-embryo line BY815 as the common parent.Using three statistical methods,we identified 5–22 quantitative trait loci(QTL)for each trait,explaining 4.7%–46.7%of the phenotypic variation.The genetic architecture of maize embryo size and its related traits appeared to be dominated by multiple small-effect loci with little epistasis,and the genetic control underlying embryo size appeared to be distinct from that underlying kernel size.A trait–QTL association network included 205 nodes and 439 edges and revealed 28 key loci associated with at least three traits.Cloned maize genes including Zm Urb2,Emp12 and Zm BAM1 d,maize orthologs of known rice genes that control seed size including BG1,XIAO and GS9,and 11 maize orthologs of Arabidopsis EMBRYO-DEFECTIVE(EMB)genes were identified as underlying these key loci.Further,the phenotypic and genetic relationships between embryo size and kernel size were evaluated,and genetic patterns for identified loci that control embryo size and its related traits were proposed.Our findings reveal distinct genetic architectures for embryo size,kernel size,and embryo-to-kernel ratio traits and establish a foundation for the improvement of embryo-size-mediated kernel nutrition and grain yield.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31971962,31771812,and 32272129 to Yuling Li)Zhongyuan Scholars in Henan Province(22400510003 to Yuling Li)+3 种基金the Major Public Welfare Projects of Henan Province(201300111100 to Yuling Li)Tackle Program of Agricultural Seed in Henan Province(2022010201 to Yuling Li)Technical System of Maize Industry in Henan Province(HARS62922-02-S to Yuling Li)Key Scientific Research Projects for Higher Education of Henan Province(19zx001 to Yuling Li).
文摘The development of maize(Zea mays)kernels is a complex physiological process regulated by numerous genes in a spatially and temporally coordinated manner.However,many regulatory genes involved in this process remain unidentified.In this study,we identified ZmZFP2,a gene encoding a C4HC3-type RING zinc finger protein,which regulates kernel size and weight.This discovery was based on suppression subtractive hybridization from maize endosperm in our previous research.We further investigated the role of ZmZFP2 in regulating kernel development.The zmzfp2-ems mutant exhibited significantly reduced kernel size and weight,accompanied by fewer endosperm cells and altered starch and protein accumulation.CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockouts and overexpression lines confirmed that ZmZFP2 positively regulates kernel size and weight,with overexpression leading to increased kernel size and weight.Transcriptome analysis revealed that ZmZFP2 regulates genes involved in zeatin biosynthesis,starch metabolism,and protein processing,further supporting its role in kernel development.Additionally,ZmZFP2 was shown to interact with the transcription factor ZmEREB98,implicating it in the gene regulatory network during grain filling.Together,these findings demonstrate that ZmZFP2 is a key regulator of maize kernel size and weight,functioning through its E3 ubiquitin ligase activity and interactions with various metabolic pathways.This study provides novel insights into the genetic regulation of kernel development and presents potential strategies for improving maize yield and quality.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China to X.J.Z.(grant number 31771707)National Special Program for GMO Development of China to R.M.C.(2016ZX08003-002)the National Key Basic Research Program of China(2014CB138205)。
文摘Although the genetic basis for endosperm development in maize(Zea mays)has been well studied,the mechanism for coordinating grain filling with increasing kernel size remains elusive.Here,we report that increased kernel size was selected during modern breeding and identify a novel DELLA-like transcriptional regulator,ZmGRAS11,which positively regulates kernel size and kernel weight in maize.We find that Opaque2,a core transcription factor for zein protein and starch accumulation,transactivates the expression of Zm GRAS11.Our data suggest that the Opaque2-Zm GRAS11 module mediates synergistic endosperm enlargement with grain filling.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31421005)。
文摘The embryo in maize has a critical role in controlling kernel nutrition components and grain yield.We measured five embryo weight and size traits,six kernel weight and size traits,and five embryo-tokernel ratio traits in a nested association mapping(NAM)population of 611 recombinant inbred lines(RILs)derived from four inbred lines including the high-oil,giant-embryo line BY815 as the common parent.Using three statistical methods,we identified 5–22 quantitative trait loci(QTL)for each trait,explaining 4.7%–46.7%of the phenotypic variation.The genetic architecture of maize embryo size and its related traits appeared to be dominated by multiple small-effect loci with little epistasis,and the genetic control underlying embryo size appeared to be distinct from that underlying kernel size.A trait–QTL association network included 205 nodes and 439 edges and revealed 28 key loci associated with at least three traits.Cloned maize genes including Zm Urb2,Emp12 and Zm BAM1 d,maize orthologs of known rice genes that control seed size including BG1,XIAO and GS9,and 11 maize orthologs of Arabidopsis EMBRYO-DEFECTIVE(EMB)genes were identified as underlying these key loci.Further,the phenotypic and genetic relationships between embryo size and kernel size were evaluated,and genetic patterns for identified loci that control embryo size and its related traits were proposed.Our findings reveal distinct genetic architectures for embryo size,kernel size,and embryo-to-kernel ratio traits and establish a foundation for the improvement of embryo-size-mediated kernel nutrition and grain yield.
