Premium
Coordinated regulation of starch synthesis in maize endosperm by microRNAs and DNA methylation
Author(s) -
Hu Yufeng,
Li Yangping,
Weng Jianfeng,
Liu Hanmei,
Yu Guowu,
Liu Yinghong,
Xiao Qianlin,
Huang Huanhuan,
Wang Yongbin,
wei Bin,
Cao Yao,
Xie Ying,
Long Tiandan,
Li Hui,
Zhang Junjie,
Li Xinhai,
Huang Yubi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the plant journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.058
H-Index - 269
eISSN - 1365-313X
pISSN - 0960-7412
DOI - 10.1111/tpj.15043
Subject(s) - endosperm , biology , transcriptome , dna methylation , gene , transcription factor , microrna , starch , regulation of gene expression , gene expression , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry
SUMMARY Starch synthesis is an essential feature of crop filling, but knowledge of the molecular mechanisms regulating the expression of starch synthesis genes (SSGs) is currently limited to transcription factors (TFs). Here, we obtained transcriptome, small RNAome, and DNA methylome data from maize ( Zea mays ) endosperms during multiple developmental stages and established a regulatory network atlas of starch synthesis. Transcriptome analysis showed a sharp transition at 9–10 days after pollination, when genes involved in starch and sucrose metabolism are upregulated and starch accumulates rapidly. Expression pattern analysis established a comprehensive network between SSGs and TFs. During maize endosperm development, the miRNAs with preferential repression of the expression of TFs, particularly the TFs regulating SSG expression, were extensively downregulated. Specifically, ZmMYB138 and ZmMYB115 affected the transcriptional activities of Du1 / Wx and Ae1 / Bt2 genes at their respective promoter regions. Remarkably, the two TFs were negatively regulated by the copious expression of Zma‐miR159k‐3p at the post‐transcriptional level. This suggests that miRNAs are important regulators of starch synthesis. Moreover, with the exclusion of the TFs, the expression of both SSGs and miRNAs was globally regulated by DNA methylation. Altogether, the present results (i) establish the regulatory functions of miRNAs and DNA methylation in starch synthesis and (ii) indicate that DNA methylation functions as a master switch.