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Structural variation at the maize WUSCHEL1 locus alters stem cell organization in inflorescences

Author

Listed:
  • Zongliang Chen

    (Rutgers University)

  • Wei Li

    (Rutgers University)

  • Craig Gaines

    (University of California San Diego)

  • Amy Buck

    (Rutgers University
    University of California San Diego)

  • Mary Galli

    (Rutgers University)

  • Andrea Gallavotti

    (Rutgers University
    Rutgers University)

Abstract

Structural variation in plant genomes is a significant driver of phenotypic variability in traits important for the domestication and productivity of crop species. Among these are traits that depend on functional meristems, populations of stem cells maintained by the CLAVATA-WUSCHEL (CLV-WUS) negative feedback-loop that controls the expression of the WUS homeobox transcription factor. WUS function and impact on maize development and yield remain largely unexplored. Here we show that the maize dominant Barren inflorescence3 (Bif3) mutant harbors a tandem duplicated copy of the ZmWUS1 gene, ZmWUS1-B, whose novel promoter enhances transcription in a ring-like pattern. Overexpression of ZmWUS1-B is due to multimerized binding sites for type-B RESPONSE REGULATORs (RRs), key transcription factors in cytokinin signaling. Hypersensitivity to cytokinin causes stem cell overproliferation and major rearrangements of Bif3 inflorescence meristems, leading to the formation of ball-shaped ears and severely affecting productivity. These findings establish ZmWUS1 as an essential meristem size regulator in maize and highlight the striking effect of cis-regulatory variation on a key developmental program.

Suggested Citation

  • Zongliang Chen & Wei Li & Craig Gaines & Amy Buck & Mary Galli & Andrea Gallavotti, 2021. "Structural variation at the maize WUSCHEL1 locus alters stem cell organization in inflorescences," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-22699-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22699-8
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    Cited by:

    1. Miaomiao Li & Huaizhi Zhang & Huixin Xiao & Keyu Zhu & Wenqi Shi & Dong Zhang & Yong Wang & Lijun Yang & Qiuhong Wu & Jingzhong Xie & Yongxing Chen & Dan Qiu & Guanghao Guo & Ping Lu & Beibei Li & Lei, 2024. "A membrane associated tandem kinase from wild emmer wheat confers broad-spectrum resistance to powdery mildew," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Zhe Zhao & Zhi Ding & Jingjing Huang & Hengjun Meng & Zixu Zhang & Xin Gou & Huiwu Tang & Xianrong Xie & Jingyao Ping & Fangming Xiao & Yao-Guang Liu & Yongyao Xie & Letian Chen, 2023. "Copy number variation of the restorer Rf4 underlies human selection of three-line hybrid rice breeding," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.

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