zma-miR159 targets ZmMYB74 and ZmMYB138 transcription factors to regulate grain size and weight in maize

• DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad455
• Publication Date: 2023-08-16T12:32:43Z
• Authors: Qiyue Wang; Jiong Wan; Kuntai Dang; Shujun Meng; Desheng Hu; Yuan Lin; Xiaoqian Qiu; Zhanyong Guo; Zhiyuan Fu; Dong Ding; Jihua Tang
• Keywords: 2. Zero hunger; Base Sequence; Edible Grain; Zea mays; Endosperm; Transcription Factors

Endosperm cell number is critical in determining grain size maize (Zea mays). Here, zma-miR159 overexpression led to enlarged grains independent transgenic lines, suggesting that contributes positively size. Targeting of ZmMYB74 and ZmMYB138 transcription factor genes by was validated using 5' RACE dual-luciferase assay. Lines which knocked out clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) presented a similar phenotype as those with overexpression. Downstream regulating division were identified through DNA affinity purification sequencing ZmMYB138. Our results suggest zma-miR159-ZmMYB modules act an endosperm development hub, participating the proliferation cells.