A NAC-EXPANSIN module enhances maize kernel size by controlling nucellus elimination

Sun, Qin, Li, Yunfu, Gong, Dianming, Hu, Aoqing, Zhong, Wanshun, Zhao, Hailiang, Ning, Qiang, Tan, Zengdong, Liang, Kun, Mu, Luyao, Jackson, David, Zhang, Zuxin, Yang, Fang, Qiu, Fazhan (September 2022) A NAC-EXPANSIN module enhances maize kernel size by controlling nucellus elimination. Nature Communications, 13 (1). p. 5708. ISSN 2041-1723

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Abstract

Maize early endosperm development is initiated in coordination with elimination of maternal nucellar tissues. However, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we characterize a major quantitative trait locus for maize kernel size and weight that encodes an EXPANSIN gene, ZmEXPB15. The encoded β-expansin protein is expressed specifically in nucellus, and positively controls kernel size and weight by promoting nucellus elimination. We further show that two nucellus-enriched transcription factors (TFs), ZmNAC11 and ZmNAC29, activate ZmEXPB15 expression. Accordingly, these two TFs also promote kernel size and weight through nucellus elimination regulation, and genetic analyses support their interaction with ZmEXPB15. Importantly, hybrids derived from a ZmEXPB15 overexpression line have increased kernel weight, demonstrates its potential value in breeding. Together, we reveal a pathway modulating the cellular processes of maternal nucellus elimination and early endosperm development, and an approach to improve kernel weight.

Item Type:	Paper
Subjects:	bioinformatics bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics organism description > plant > maize bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > protein structure, function, modification organism description > plant bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > protein structure, function, modification > protein types bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > protein structure, function, modification > protein types > transcription factor
CSHL Authors:	Jackson, David P.
Communities:	CSHL labs > Jackson lab
SWORD Depositor:	CSHL Elements
Depositing User:	CSHL Elements
Date:	29 September 2022
Date Deposited:	06 Oct 2022 23:10
Last Modified:	17 Jan 2024 15:30
PMCID:	PMC9522829
URI:	https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/40727

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