Quantitative variation in maize kernel row number is controlled by the FASCIATED EAR2 locus

Bommert, P., Nagasawa, N. S., Jackson, D. (March 2013) Quantitative variation in maize kernel row number is controlled by the FASCIATED EAR2 locus. Nature Genetics, 45 (3). pp. 334-337. ISSN 1061-4036

URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23377180

DOI: 10.1038/ng.2534

Abstract

Domestication of cereal crops, such as maize, wheat and rice, had a profound influence on agriculture and the establishment of human civilizations. One major improvement was an increase in seed number per inflorescence, which enhanced yield and simplified harvesting and storage. The ancestor of maize, teosinte, makes 2 rows of kernels, and modern varieties make approximately 8-20 rows. Kernel rows are initiated by the inflorescence shoot meristem, and shoot meristem size is controlled by a feedback loop involving the CLAVATA signaling proteins and the WUSCHEL transcription factor. We present a hypothesis that variation in inflorescence meristem size affects kernel row number (KRN), with the potential to increase yield. We also show that variation in the CLAVATA receptor-like protein FASCIATED EAR2 leads to increased inflorescence meristem size and KRN. These findings indicate that modulation of fundamental stem cell proliferation control pathways has the potential to enhance crop yields.

Item Type:	Paper
Subjects:	bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification 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 bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification > genes, structure and function organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > tissues types and functions > inflorescence organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > tissues types and functions > meristem organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions organism description > plant bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > protein structure, function, modification > protein expression bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > protein structure, function, modification > protein receptor organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > tissues types and functions
CSHL Authors:	Bommert, Peter Jackson, David P.
Communities:	CSHL labs > Jackson lab
Depositing User:	Matt Covey
Date:	March 2013
Date Deposited:	29 Mar 2013 16:50
Last Modified:	29 Mar 2013 16:50
Related URLs:	Publisher
URI:	https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/28064

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