Open AccessPlant height heterosis is quantitatively associated with expression levels of plastid ribosomal proteins
Author(s) -
Devon Birdseye,
Laura A de Boer,
Hua B. Bai,
Peng Zhou,
Zhouxin Shen,
Eric A. Schmelz,
Nathan M. Springer,
Steven P. Briggs
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2109332118
Subject(s) - heterosis , biology , hybrid , plastid , seedling , ribosomal protein , genetics , chloroplast , botany , gene , rna , ribosome
Significance Heterosis (hybrid vigor) boosts the productivity and resilience of crops and livestock above the levels of both parents, yet its underlying mechanisms remain unknown. We analyzed expression patterns of proteins in maize hybrids and their inbred parents. Differences in several molecular machines and biochemical pathways were found and quantitatively assessed using a panel of 15 hybrids. Seedling leaf chloroplast ribosomal proteins were able to quantitatively infer levels of adult plant heterosis. Expression levels of biosynthetic enzymes for the stress hormone ethylene were reduced in hybrids, as was previously reported for the dicotArabidopsis . Mutation of these genes in a maize inbred caused the proteome to resemble a hybrid. Repression of ethylene biosynthesis may be a conserved component of heterosis physiology.