{"title":"A Zea genus-specific micropeptide controls kernel dehydration in maize","authors":"Yanhui Yu, Wenqiang Li, Yuanfang Liu, Yanjun Liu, Qinzhi Zhang, Yidan Ouyang, Wenya Ding, Yu Xue, Yilin Zou, Junjun Yan, Anqiang Jia, Jiali Yan, Xinfei Hao, Yujie Gou, Zhaowei Zhai, Longyu Liu, Yang Zheng, Bao Zhang, Jieting Xu, Ning Yang, Jianbing Yan","doi":"10.1016/j.cell.2024.10.030","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"Kernel dehydration rate (KDR) is a crucial production trait that affects mechanized harvesting and kernel quality in maize; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we identified a quantitative trait locus (QTL), <em>qKDR1</em>, as a non-coding sequence that regulates the expression of <em>qKDR1 REGULATED PEPTIDE GENE</em> (<em>RPG</em>). <em>RPG</em> encodes a 31 amino acid micropeptide, microRPG1, which controls KDR by precisely modulating the expression of two genes, <em>ZmETHYLENE-INSENSITIVE3-like 1</em> and <em>3</em>, in the ethylene signaling pathway in the kernels after filling. microRPG1 is a <em>Zea</em> genus-specific micropeptide and originated <em>de novo</em> from a non-coding sequence. Knockouts of microRPG1 result in faster KDR in maize. By contrast, overexpression or exogenous application of the micropeptide shows the opposite effect both in maize and <em>Arabidopsis</em>. Our findings reveal the molecular mechanism of microRPG1 in kernel dehydration and provide an important tool for future crop breeding.","PeriodicalId":45,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation","volume":"51 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.7000,"publicationDate":"2024-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation","FirstCategoryId":"99","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2024.10.030","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"CHEMISTRY, PHYSICAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Kernel dehydration rate (KDR) is a crucial production trait that affects mechanized harvesting and kernel quality in maize; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we identified a quantitative trait locus (QTL), qKDR1, as a non-coding sequence that regulates the expression of qKDR1 REGULATED PEPTIDE GENE (RPG). RPG encodes a 31 amino acid micropeptide, microRPG1, which controls KDR by precisely modulating the expression of two genes, ZmETHYLENE-INSENSITIVE3-like 1 and 3, in the ethylene signaling pathway in the kernels after filling. microRPG1 is a Zea genus-specific micropeptide and originated de novo from a non-coding sequence. Knockouts of microRPG1 result in faster KDR in maize. By contrast, overexpression or exogenous application of the micropeptide shows the opposite effect both in maize and Arabidopsis. Our findings reveal the molecular mechanism of microRPG1 in kernel dehydration and provide an important tool for future crop breeding.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation invites new and original contributions with the understanding that, if accepted, they will not be published elsewhere. Papers reporting new theories, methodology, and/or important applications in quantum electronic structure, molecular dynamics, and statistical mechanics are appropriate for submission to this Journal. Specific topics include advances in or applications of ab initio quantum mechanics, density functional theory, design and properties of new materials, surface science, Monte Carlo simulations, solvation models, QM/MM calculations, biomolecular structure prediction, and molecular dynamics in the broadest sense including gas-phase dynamics, ab initio dynamics, biomolecular dynamics, and protein folding. The Journal does not consider papers that are straightforward applications of known methods including DFT and molecular dynamics. The Journal favors submissions that include advances in theory or methodology with applications to compelling problems.