THP9 enhances seed protein content and nitrogen-use efficiency in maize

Yongcai Huang, Haihai Wang, Yidong Zhu, Xing Huang, Shuai Li, Xingguo Wu, Yao Zhao, Zhigui Bao, Li Qin, Yongbo Jin, Yahui Cui, Guangjin Ma, Qiao Xiao, Qiong Wang, Jiechen Wang, Xuerong Yang, Hongjun Liu, Xiaoduo Lu, Brian A. Larkins, Wenqin Wang () and Yongrui Wu ()
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Yongcai Huang: Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology Chinese Academy of Sciences
Haihai Wang: Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yidong Zhu: Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xing Huang: Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology Chinese Academy of Sciences
Shuai Li: Shanghai Normal University
Xingguo Wu: Shanghai Normal University
Yao Zhao: Shandong Agricultural University
Zhigui Bao: Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Li Qin: Qilu Normal University
Yongbo Jin: Shanghai Normal University
Yahui Cui: Shanghai Normal University
Guangjin Ma: Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology Chinese Academy of Sciences
Qiao Xiao: Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology Chinese Academy of Sciences
Qiong Wang: Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jiechen Wang: Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xuerong Yang: Shandong Agricultural University
Hongjun Liu: Shandong Agricultural University
Xiaoduo Lu: Qilu Normal University
Brian A. Larkins: University of Arizona
Wenqin Wang: Shanghai Normal University
Yongrui Wu: Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature, 2022, vol. 612, issue 7939, 292-300

Abstract: Abstract Teosinte, the wild ancestor of maize (Zea mays subsp. mays), has three times the seed protein content of most modern inbreds and hybrids, but the mechanisms that are responsible for this trait are unknown1,2. Here we use trio binning to create a contiguous haplotype DNA sequence of a teosinte (Zea mays subsp. parviglumis) and, through map-based cloning, identify a major high-protein quantitative trait locus, TEOSINTE HIGH PROTEIN 9 (THP9), on chromosome 9. THP9 encodes an asparagine synthetase 4 enzyme that is highly expressed in teosinte, but not in the B73 inbred, in which a deletion in the tenth intron of THP9-B73 causes incorrect splicing of THP9-B73 transcripts. Transgenic expression of THP9-teosinte in B73 significantly increased the seed protein content. Introgression of THP9-teosinte into modern maize inbreds and hybrids greatly enhanced the accumulation of free amino acids, especially asparagine, throughout the plant, and increased seed protein content without affecting yield. THP9-teosinte seems to increase nitrogen-use efficiency, which is important for promoting a high yield under low-nitrogen conditions.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05441-2

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