ZmZFP2 encoding a C4HC3-type RING zinc finger protein regulates kernel size and weight in maize  

作　　者：Long Zhang Qilei Wang Wenyu Li Qi Zheng Miaomiao Fu Han Wang Xinyu Li Yan Wang Lingwei Hu Weigang Yao Lifeng Wang Huiyong Li Yongbin Dong Yongrui Wu Yuling Li 

机构地区：[1]State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science,Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops,College of Agronomy,Henan Agricultural University,Longzi Lake Campus,Zhengzhou 450046,Henan,China [2]Institute of Crop Germplasm Resources,Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Zhengzhou 450002,Henan,China [3]College of Mechanical&Electrical Engineering,Henan Agricultural University,Zhengzhou 450002,Henan,China [4]Henan Jinyuan Seed Ind.Co.,Ltd.,Zhengzhou 450001,Henan,China [5]National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics,CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences,Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology&Ecology,Shanghai 200032,China

出　　处：《The Crop Journal》2025年第2期418-431,共14页作物学报(英文版)

基　　金：supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31971962,31771812,and 32272129 to Yuling Li);Zhongyuan Scholars in Henan Province(22400510003 to Yuling Li);the Major Public Welfare Projects of Henan Province(201300111100 to Yuling Li);Tackle Program of Agricultural Seed in Henan Province(2022010201 to Yuling Li);Technical System of Maize Industry in Henan Province(HARS62922-02-S to Yuling Li);Key Scientific Research Projects for Higher Education of Henan Province(19zx001 to Yuling Li).

摘　　要：The development of maize(Zea mays)kernels is a complex physiological process regulated by numerous genes in a spatially and temporally coordinated manner.However,many regulatory genes involved in this process remain unidentified.In this study,we identified ZmZFP2,a gene encoding a C4HC3-type RING zinc finger protein,which regulates kernel size and weight.This discovery was based on suppression subtractive hybridization from maize endosperm in our previous research.We further investigated the role of ZmZFP2 in regulating kernel development.The zmzfp2-ems mutant exhibited significantly reduced kernel size and weight,accompanied by fewer endosperm cells and altered starch and protein accumulation.CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockouts and overexpression lines confirmed that ZmZFP2 positively regulates kernel size and weight,with overexpression leading to increased kernel size and weight.Transcriptome analysis revealed that ZmZFP2 regulates genes involved in zeatin biosynthesis,starch metabolism,and protein processing,further supporting its role in kernel development.Additionally,ZmZFP2 was shown to interact with the transcription factor ZmEREB98,implicating it in the gene regulatory network during grain filling.Together,these findings demonstrate that ZmZFP2 is a key regulator of maize kernel size and weight,functioning through its E3 ubiquitin ligase activity and interactions with various metabolic pathways.This study provides novel insights into the genetic regulation of kernel development and presents potential strategies for improving maize yield and quality.

关 键 词：MAIZE Kernel weight and size Starch and protein accumulation E3 ubiquitin ligase Transcriptome analysis 

分 类 号：S513[农业科学—作物学]