Yinghong Liu

Novel role of ZmaNAC36 in co-expression of starch synthetic genes in maize endosperm

Abstract Starch is an essential commodity that is widely used as food, feed, fuel and in industry. However, its mechanism of synthesis is not fully understood, especially in terms of the expression and regulation of the starch synthetic genes. It was reported that the starch synthetic genes were co-expressed during maize endosperm development; however, the mechanism of the co-expression was not reported. In this paper, the ZmaNAC36 gene was amplified by homology-based cloning, and its expression vector was constructed for transient expression. The nuclear localization, transcriptional activation and target sites of the ZmaNAC36 protein were identified. The expression profile of ZmaNAC36 showed that it was strongly expressed in the maize endosperm and was co-expressed with most of the starch synthetic genes. Moreover, the expressions of many starch synthesis genes in the endosperm were upregulated when ZmaNAC36 was transiently overexpressed. All our results indicated that NAC36 might be a transcription factor and play a potential role in the co-expression of starch synthetic genes in the maize endosperm.

ZmbZIP91 regulates expression of starch synthesis-related genes by binding to ACTCAT elements in their promoters

Starch synthesis is a key process that influences crop yield and quality, though little is known about the regulation of this complex metabolic pathway. Here, we present the identification of ZmbZIP91 as a candidate regulator of starch synthesis via co-expression analysis in maize (Zea mays L.). ZmbZIP91 was strongly associated with the expression of starch synthesis genes. Reverse tanscription-PCR (RT-PCR) and RNA in situ hybridization indicated that ZmbZIP91 is highly expressed in maize endosperm, with less expression in leaves. Particle bombardment-mediated transient expression in maize endosperm and leaf protoplasts demonstrated that ZmbZIP91 could positively regulate the expression of starch synthesis genes in both leaves and endosperm. Additionally, the Arabidopsis mutant vip1 carried a mutation in a gene (VIP1) that is homologous to ZmbZIP91, displayed altered growth with less starch in leaves, and ZmbZIP91 was able to complement this phenotype, resulting in normal starch synthesis. A yeast one-hybrid experiment and EMSAs showed that ZmbZIP91 could directly bind to ACTCAT elements in the promoters of starch synthesis genes (pAGPS1, pSSI, pSSIIIa, and pISA1). These results demonstrate that ZmbZIP91 acts as a core regulatory factor in starch synthesis by binding to ACTCAT elements in the promoters of starch synthesis genes.

Sucrose and ABA regulate starch biosynthesis in maize through a novel transcription factor, ZmEREB156

Sucrose is not only the carbon source for starch synthesis, but also a signal molecule. Alone or in coordination with ABA, it can regulate the expression of genes involved in starch synthesis. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect, maize endosperms were collected from Zea mays L. B73 inbred line 10 d after pollination and treated with sucrose, ABA, or sucrose plus ABA at 28 °C in the dark for 24 h. RNA-sequence analysis of the maize endosperm transcriptome revealed 47 candidate transcription factors among the differentially expressed genes. We therefore speculate that starch synthetic gene expression is regulated by transcription factors induced by the combination of sucrose and ABA. ZmEREB156, a candidate transcription factor, is induced by sucrose plus ABA and is involved in starch biosynthesis. The ZmEREB156-GFP-fused protein was localized in the nuclei of onion epidermal cells, and ZmEREB156 protein possessed strong transcriptional activation activity. Promoter activity of the starch-related genes Zmsh2 and ZmSSIIIa increased after overexpression of ZmEREB156 in maize endosperm. ZmEREB156 could bind to the ZmSSIIIa promoter but not the Zmsh2 promoter in a yeast one-hybrid system. Thus, ZmEREB156 positively modulates starch biosynthetic gene ZmSSIIIa via the synergistic effect of sucrose and ABA.

A highly efficient maize nucellus protoplast system for transient gene expression and studying programmed cell death-related processes

Key messageConditions for the isolation and transfection of maize nucellus protoplasts were established. We demonstrated its utilization for protein expression, localization, protein–protein interaction, and the investigation of PCD-related processes.AbstractPlant protoplasts are an important and versatile cell system that is widely used in the analysis of gene characterization and diverse signaling pathways. Programmed cell death (PCD) occurs throughout the life of plants from embryogenesis to fertilization. The maize nucellus undergoes typical PCD during development of the embryo sac. The nucellus protoplast shows potential for use in research of PCD-related processes. No studies have reported previously the isolation and transfection of nucellus protoplasts. In this study, conditions for the isolation and transfection of maize nucellus protoplasts were established. The maize protoplast system can be used for protein expression, localization, and protein–protein interaction. We applied this system to investigate PCD-related processes. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that transient expression of MADS29 in the maize nucellus protoplast increases Cys-protease gene transcript level. In addition, β-glucuronidase and luciferase activity assays showed that MADS29 could enhance the promoter activities of the Cys-protease gene. Thus, we demonstrated the potential of a highly efficient maize nucellus protoplast system for transient gene expression and investigation of PCD-related processes.

Identification and Phylogenetic Analysis of a Novel Starch Synthase in Maize

Starch is an important reserve of carbon and energy in plants, providing the majority of calories in the human diet and animal feed. Its synthesis is orchestrated by several key enzymes, and the amount and structure of starch, affecting crop yield and quality, are determined mainly by starch synthase (SS) activity. To date, five SS isoforms, including SSI-IV and Granule Bound Starch Synthase (GBSS) have been identified and their physiological functions have been well characterized. Here, we report the identification of a new SS isoform in maize, designated SSV. By searching sequenced genomes, SSV has been found in all green plants with conserved sequences and gene structures. Our phylogenetic analysis based on 780 base pairs has suggested that SSIV and SSV resulted from a gene duplication event, which may have occurred before the algae formation. An expression profile analysis of SSV in maize has indicated that ZmSSV is mainly transcribed in the kernel and ear leaf during the grain filling stage, which is partly similar to other SS isoforms. Therefore, it is likely that SSV may play an important role in starch biosynthesis. Subsequent analysis of SSV function may facilitate understanding the mechanism of starch granules formation, number and structure.

Identification and characterization of microRNAs in the developing maize endosperm

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that are approximately 20-22 nucleotides long. miRNAs have been shown to be important regulators that control a large variety of biological functions in eukaryotic cells. To investigate the roles of miRNAs in maize endosperm development, two small RNA libraries of maize endosperm at two developmental stages were sequenced. A total of 17,773,394 and 18,586,523 small RNA raw reads were obtained, respectively. Further analysis identified and characterized 95 known miRNAs belonging to 20 miRNA families. In addition, 18 novel miRNAs were identified and grouped into 11 families. Potential targets for 5 of the novel miRNA families were successfully predicted. We had also identified 12 corresponding miRNAs* of these novel miRNAs. In summary, we investigated expression patterns of miRNA in maize endosperm at key developmental stages and identified miRNAs that are likely to playing an important role in endosperm development.

Identification of Transcription Factors ZmMYB111 and ZmMYB148 Involved in Phenylpropanoid Metabolism

Maize is the leading crop worldwide in terms of both planting area and total yields, but environmental stresses cause significant losses in productivity. Phenylpropanoid compounds play an important role in plant stress resistance; however, the mechanism of their synthesis is not fully understood, especially in regard to the expression and regulation of key genes. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) is the first key enzyme involved in phenylpropanoid metabolism, and it has a significant effect on the synthesis of important phenylpropanoid compounds. According to the results of sequence alignments and functional prediction, we selected two conserved R2R3-MYB transcription factors as candidate genes for the regulation of phenylpropanoid metabolism. The two candidate R2R3-MYB genes, which we named ZmMYB111 and ZmMYB148, were cloned, and then their structural characteristics and phylogenetic placement were predicted and analyzed. In addition, a series of evaluations were performed, including expression profiles, subcellular localization, transcription activation, protein–DNA interaction, and transient expression in maize endosperm. Our results indicated that both ZmMYB111 and ZmMYB148 are indeed R2R3-MYB transcription factors and that they may play a regulatory role in PAL gene expression.

Characterization of ADP-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase Encoding Genes in Source and Sink Organs of Maize

ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase catalyzes the first and limiting step in starch biosynthesis. Six cDNA sequences encoding three large subunits and three small subunits of maize AGPase from database were mined and subsequently named: agpl1, agpl2, agpl3, agps1, agps2, and agps3. To elucidate the roles of these isogenes, a comprehensive expression analysis of the gene family was conducted by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Based on the expression patterns, the six genes can be divided into three groups: (1) steady expressers (agpl1, agps1, and agpl2), which were expressed relatively constantly both in leaf and grain; (2) tissue and development-specific expressers (agpl3 and agps2), which were expressed only in grain at middle and late development phases; (3) tissue-specific expressers (agps3), whose transcripts kept constant during grain filling and were observed only in grain. In order to clarify the effects of sugar and plant hormone on maize AGPase genes expression, a serial of treatments were used. The results showed that AGPase genes significantly differed in response to sugar and hormone inductions. Enormous transcript changes of these genes could be observed in glucose and sucrose treatments. Interestingly, synergistic effect of ABA and sucrose on these genes was observed.

ZmMYB14 is an important transcription factor involved in the regulation of the activity of the ZmBT1 promoter in starch biosynthesis in maize

The biosynthesis of starch is a complex process that depends on the regulatory mechanisms of different functional enzymes, and transcriptional regulation plays an important role in this process. Brittle 1, encoded by BT1, is a transporter of adenosine diphosphate‐glucose, which plays an important role in the biosynthesis of starch in the endosperm of cereals. Here, we report that the promoter (pZmBT1) of the maize BT1 homolog, ZmBT1, contains an MBSI site (TAACTG), which is important for its activity. Moreover, high expression level of the gene for ZmMYB14 transcription factor was observed in the maize endosperm; its expression pattern was similar to those of the starch synthesis‐related genes in maize seeds. ZmMYB14 is a typical 2R‐MYB transcription factor localized in the nucleus and possessed transcriptional activation activity. ZmMYB14 could bind to the region of pZmBT1 from −280 to −151 bp and promote its activity through the TAACTG site. It was also observed to promote the activity of pZmSh2, pZmBt2, pZmGBSSI, pZmSSI, and pZmSBE1 in the maize endosperm in transient gene overexpression assays. Furthermore, ZmMYB14 was also shown to bind directly to the promoters of six starch‐synthesizing genes, ZmGBSSI, ZmSSI, ZmSSIIa, ZmSBE1, ZmISA1, and ZmISA2 in yeast. These findings indicate that ZmMYB14 functions as a key regulator of ZmBT1 and is closely related to the biosynthesis of starch. Our results provide crucial information related to the regulation of starch biosynthesis in maize and would be helpful in devising strategies for modulating starch production in maize endosperm.

Identification and characterization of microRNAs in maize endosperm response to exogenous sucrose using small RNA sequencing

Sucrose acts as a signaling molecule for genes critical to starch biosynthesis in maize endosperm. Previously, we showed that sucrose could regulate starch biosynthesis in maize via transcription factors. To better understand the complex regulation of starch biosynthesis, the 10days after pollination endosperm from Zea mays L. B73 inbred line was collected and treated with sucrose for small RNA sequencing. The sequencing results revealed that 24 known miRNAs and 190 novel miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in response to sucrose. In addition, most of target mRNAs were characterized as transcription factors, mainly including, MYB, ARF, NAC, AP2/ERF, WRKY, and GRAS, which play important roles in starch biosynthesis and seed development in maize endosperm. The expression profiles of miR398a/b and miR159b/j/k followed opposite expression trends to their target genes when analyzed by qPCR. In conclusion, these results show that sucrose regulates the expression of starch synthetic genes through miRNAs.