Project description:Kernel development is accompanied by complex gene networks. Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis is an efficient way to detect the regulatory elements of genes, especially the trans-eQTLs help to construct the regulatory networks of genes and contribute to a better understanding of the intrinsic mechanisms of biological processes. Till now, the 15 DAP (day after pollination) eQTL has been elucidated in maize kernel, but little is known about the early stage. Here, we conduct eQTL analysis for 5 DAP maize kernel using 318 maize inbred lines. The results will provide insights into the genetic basis of early kernel development.
Project description:The kernel serves as a storage organ for various nutrients and determines the yield and quality of maize. Understanding the mechanisms regulating kernel development is important for maize production. In this study, a small kernel mutant smk7a of maize was characterized. Cytological observation suggested that the development of the endosperm and embryo was arrested in smk7a in the early development stage. Biochemical tests revealed that the starch, zein protein, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) contents were significantly lower in smk7a compared with wild-type (WT). Consistent with the defective development phenotype, transcriptome analysis of the kernels 12 and 20 days after pollination (DAP) revealed that the starch, zein, and auxin biosynthesis related genes were dramatically downregulated in smk7a. Genetic mapping indicated that the mutant was controlled by a recessive gene located on chromosome 2. Our results suggest that disrupted nutrition accumulation and auxin synthesis cause the defective endosperm and embryo development of smk7a.
Project description:We performed a molecular characterization of the maize small kernel mutant with endosperm developmental deficiency phenotypes.To elucidate how SMK8 affects kernel development, we performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and the results revealed numerous differentially expressed genes related to storage proteins and starch biosynthesis and biosynthesis of amino acids.
Project description:Maize kernels are susceptible to infection by the opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus flavus. Infection results in reduction of grain quality and contamination of kernels with the highly carcinogenic mycotoxin, aflatoxin. To understand host response to infection by the fungus, transcription of approximately 9,000 maize genes were monitored during the host-pathogen interaction with a custom-designed Affymetrix GeneChip® DNA array. More than 1,000 maize genes were found differentially expressed at a fold change of 2 or greater. This included the up regulation of defense-related genes and signaling pathways. Transcriptional changes also were observed in primary metabolism genes. Starch biosynthetic genes were down regulated during infection, while genes encoding maize hydrolytic enzymes, presumably involved in the degradation of host reserves, were up regulated. These data indicate that infection of the maize kernel A. flavus induced metabolic changes in the kernel, including the production of a defense response, as well as a disruption in kernel development.
Project description:Maize kernel is an important source of food, feed and industrial raw materials. The illustration of the molecular mechanisms of maize kernel development will be helpful for the manipulation of maize improvements. Although a great many researches based on molecular biology and gecetics have greatly increased our understanding on the kernel development, many of the mechanisms controlling this important process remain elusive. In current study, a microarray with approximately 58,000 probes was used to study the dynamic gene expression during kernel development from the fertilization to physiological maturity. Samples from two consecutive time-points were paired and labeled using different fluorescent dyes (Cy3 and Cy5) and hybridized in the same array. Hybridization of slides was performed according to the manufacturer’s instructions (http://www.maizearray.org/). The hybridized slides were scanned by a Genepix 4000B (Axon, USA). A loop design was applied for running the microarray. Two replicates of each pair of samples were carried out to test both the reproducibility and quality of the chip hybridizations. By comparing six consecutive time-points, namely 1, 5, 10, 15, 25 and 35 days after pollination (DAP), 3,445 differentially expressed genes were identified. These genes were then grouped into 10 clusters showing specific expression patterns using a K-means clustering algorithm. An investigation of function and expression patterns of genes expanded our understanding of the regulation mechanism underlying the important developmental processes, cell division and kernel filling. The differential expression of genes involved in plant hormone signaling pathways suggested that phytohormone might play a critical role in the kernel developmental process. Moreover, regulation of some transcription factors and protein kinases might be involved in the whole developmental process. Keywords: Time course, development
Project description:Maize kernels are susceptible to infection by the opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus flavus. Infection results in reduction of grain quality and contamination of kernels with the highly carcinogenic mycotoxin, aflatoxin. To understand host response to infection by the fungus, transcription of approximately 9,000 maize genes were monitored during the host-pathogen interaction with a custom-designed Affymetrix GeneChip® DNA array. More than 1,000 maize genes were found differentially expressed at a fold change of 2 or greater. This included the up regulation of defense-related genes and signaling pathways. Transcriptional changes also were observed in primary metabolism genes. Starch biosynthetic genes were down regulated during infection, while genes encoding maize hydrolytic enzymes, presumably involved in the degradation of host reserves, were up regulated. These data indicate that infection of the maize kernel A. flavus induced metabolic changes in the kernel, including the production of a defense response, as well as a disruption in kernel development. Maize kernels were mock inoculated at the blister (R2) or dough (R4) stage or inoculated with A. flavus at the blister (R2), milk (R3), dough (R4), or dent (R5) stage, and harvested 4 days later. Each treatment consisted of three biological replications. For each biological replication, 8 kernels were ground and RNA was isolated and further processed.
Project description:Maize kernel is an important source of food, feed and industrial raw materials. The illustration of the molecular mechanisms of maize kernel development will be helpful for the manipulation of maize improvements. Although a great many researches based on molecular biology and gecetics have greatly increased our understanding on the kernel development, many of the mechanisms controlling this important process remain elusive. In current study, a microarray with approximately 58,000 probes was used to study the dynamic gene expression during kernel development from the fertilization to physiological maturity. Samples from two consecutive time-points were paired and labeled using different fluorescent dyes (Cy3 and Cy5) and hybridized in the same array. Hybridization of slides was performed according to the manufacturer’s instructions (http://www.maizearray.org/). The hybridized slides were scanned by a Genepix 4000B (Axon, USA). A loop design was applied for running the microarray. Two replicates of each pair of samples were carried out to test both the reproducibility and quality of the chip hybridizations. By comparing six consecutive time-points, namely 1, 5, 10, 15, 25 and 35 days after pollination (DAP), 3,445 differentially expressed genes were identified. These genes were then grouped into 10 clusters showing specific expression patterns using a K-means clustering algorithm. An investigation of function and expression patterns of genes expanded our understanding of the regulation mechanism underlying the important developmental processes, cell division and kernel filling. The differential expression of genes involved in plant hormone signaling pathways suggested that phytohormone might play a critical role in the kernel developmental process. Moreover, regulation of some transcription factors and protein kinases might be involved in the whole developmental process. To obtain the global gene expression profile during maize kernel development, a microarray with approximately 58,000 probes was used. The maize inbred line X178 was planted on the field. Each plant was self-pollinated by hand. The ears were harvested from healthy plants at 1, 5, 10, 15, 25 and 35 days after pollination (DAP), respectively. In order to increase the consistency & uniformity of the isolated kernels, the upper half and about one sixth of ears from the bottom were cut and discarded, the kernels were isolated from the rest part of the ears. Samples at each time-point were collected from at least thirty ears and pooled to represent the line characteristics of X178. Two sub-samples for replication in the microarray analysis were randomly drawn. Samples from two consecutive time-points were paired and labeled using different fluorescent dyes (Cy3 and Cy5) and hybridized in the same array. A loop design was applied for running the microarray. Two replicates of each pair of samples were carried out to test both the reproducibility and quality of the chip hybridizations.
Project description:In this study, protein was extracted from maize kernel at 10 and 25 DAP with three biological replicates. All maize kernel samples under the two water treatments were collected at 09:00 h for proteomics analysis.
Project description:We explored the gene expression profiles of developing maize kernel by RNA sequencing. Our purpose was to explore the sequence diversity across the inbred lines, especially in the gene regions, and to discover the gene regulatory networks employed in immature maize kernels.
Project description:Transcriptome profiles of MATZ and BETL tissues are compared across three stages of development. Sugars and other nutrients unloaded from vascular tissues in the MATZ are imported by the BETL for utilization by the developing endosperm. Pronounced changes in gene expression occur in both tissues during kernel development. RNAseq data were obtained from duplicate tissue samples isolated by cryomicrodissection of developing maize kernels at three developmental time points; 8 days post-pollination (DAP), 14 DAP and 20 DAP.