Natural variation in a type-A response regulator confers maize chilling tolerance

Rong Zeng, Zhuoyang Li, Yiting Shi, Diyi Fu, Pan Yin, Jinkui Cheng, Caifu Jiang and Shuhua Yang ()
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Rong Zeng: Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University
Zhuoyang Li: Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University
Yiting Shi: Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University
Diyi Fu: Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University
Pan Yin: Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University
Jinkui Cheng: Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University
Caifu Jiang: Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University
Shuhua Yang: Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Maize (Zea mays L.) is a cold-sensitive species that often faces chilling stress, which adversely affects growth and reproduction. However, the genetic basis of low-temperature adaptation in maize remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that natural variation in the type-A Response Regulator 1 (ZmRR1) gene leads to differences in chilling tolerance among maize inbred lines. Association analysis reveals that InDel-35 of ZmRR1, encoding a protein harboring a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MPK) phosphorylation residue, is strongly associated with chilling tolerance. ZmMPK8, a negative regulator of chilling tolerance, interacts with and phosphorylates ZmRR1 at Ser15. The deletion of a 45-bp region of ZmRR1 harboring Ser15 inhibits its degradation via the 26 S proteasome pathway by preventing its phosphorylation by ZmMPK8. Transcriptome analysis indicates that ZmRR1 positively regulates the expression of ZmDREB1 and Cellulose synthase (CesA) genes to enhance chilling tolerance. Our findings thus provide a potential genetic resource for improving chilling tolerance in maize.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25001-y

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