Integrative omics of the genetic basis for wheat WUE and drought resilience reveal the function of TaMYB7-A1

Yuxin Zhou, Dongzhi Wang (), Hao Wang, Yunzhou Qiao, Peng Zhao, Yuan Cao, Xuemei Liu, Yiman Yang, Xuelei Lin, Shengbao Xu, Baodi Dong () and Jun Xiao ()
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Yuxin Zhou: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Dongzhi Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Hao Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yunzhou Qiao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Peng Zhao: Northwest A&F University
Yuan Cao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xuemei Liu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yiman Yang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xuelei Lin: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Shengbao Xu: Northwest A&F University
Baodi Dong: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jun Xiao: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-19

Abstract: Abstract Improving wheat drought resilience and water use efficiency (WUE) is critical for sustaining productivity under increasing water scarcity. Here, we integrate genome-wide association study (GWAS), expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) mapping, population-transcriptome analysis, and summary-data-based mendelian randomization (SMR), followed by functional validation using indexed EMS mutants and transgenic lines, to systematically identify key WUE regulators. GWAS across water conditions in 228 accessions identifies 73 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for WUE-traits. Transcriptome profiling of 110 diverse accessions reveals 28 drought-responsive modules. eQTL mapping uncovers 146,966 regulatory variants, including condition-specific hotspots associated with key drought-related pathways. Integrative analysis underscores 85 high-confidence candidate genes, notably TaMYB7-A1. Overexpression of TaMYB7-A1 enhances photosynthesis, WUE, root development, and grain yield under drought condition by activating TaPIP2;2-B1 (water transport), TaRD20-D1 (stomatal regulation), and TaABCB4-B1 (root growth), reflecting reduced water loss and improved physiological resilience. Our study presents a comprehensive regulatory map and robust targets for wheat drought adaptation and resilient cultivar breeding.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63642-5

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