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The cellular and genetic basis of inflorescence divergence between maize and teosinte

The domestication of maize from teosinte involved dramatic remodeling of the ear, yet the cellular and genetic bases of this transformation remain unclear. Here, we generate a single-nucleus and spatial transcriptome atlas of developing maize and teosinte ears. Comparative analysis reveals divergence in cob-associated cell types, with enhanced cytokinin signaling and reduced growth-inhibitory…

biorxiv.org ·

The transformation of maize from its wild ancestor, teosinte, involved significant changes in the structure of the ear, but the underlying cellular and genetic mechanisms are not fully understood. To investigate this, researchers have created a comprehensive atlas of the cellular and genetic makeup of both developing maize and teosinte ears. Comparing these two types of plants revealed distinct differences in specific cell types that make up the cob, as well as variations in signaling pathways and gene expression patterns.

In maize, enhanced cytokinin signaling and reduced inhibitory signals contributed to the thickening and enlargement of the cob. This cellular remodeling played a crucial role in increasing the overall size and yield of the plant. Furthermore, domestication expanded the expression domain of key transcription factors within maize meristem cells, providing a larger capacity for increasing the number of kernels produced.

One of the most significant genetic changes identified in maize is a major domestication gene known as ZmSPD1. This gene exhibits two nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that differentiate maize from teosinte, leading to alterations in jasmonic acid (JA) levels within the ear. By suppressing spikelet abortion, the modified ZmSPD1 gene effectively doubled the number of kernels produced compared to teosinte.

These findings provide a detailed, cell-by-cell understanding of how cob architecture and kernel number were shaped during maize domestication. The new insights gained from this research offer valuable perspectives on the development of key agronomic traits, paving the way for further improvements in crop breeding and productivity.

Written by urgent.news from bioRxiv's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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·hani.co.kr

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