ZmMAPK6, a mitogenactivated protein kinase, regulates maize kernel weight

Wenyu Li; Yayong Li; Huiyue Shi; Han Wang; Kun Ji; Long Zhang; Yan Wang; Yongbin Dong; Yuling Li

doi:10.1093/jxb/erae104

ZmMAPK6, a mitogenactivated protein kinase, regulates maize kernel weight

J Exp Bot. 2024 Mar 8:erae104. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erae104. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Wenyu Li¹, Yayong Li¹, Huiyue Shi¹, Han Wang¹, Kun Ji¹, Long Zhang¹, Yan Wang¹, Yongbin Dong¹, Yuling Li¹

Affiliation

¹ State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Longzi Lake Campus, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China.

PMID: 38457358
DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erae104

Abstract

Kernel weight is a critical agronomic trait in maize production. Many genes are related to it, but only a few of them have been applied to maize breeding and cultivation. Here, we identify a novel function of maize mitogenactivated protein kinase 6 (ZmMPK6) in the regulation of maize kernel weight. The kernel weight reduced in zmmpk6 mutants, while enhanced in ZmMPK6 overexpression lines. In addition, starch granules, starch content, protein content, and grainfilling characteristics are also affected. ZmMAPK6 is mainly localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm, widely distributed across various tissues, and expresses during kernel development, which is consistent with its role in kernel weight. Thus, these results denote new insights into the role of ZmMAPK6, a MAPK, in maize kernel weight, and could be applied to further molecular breeding for kernel quality and yield in maize.

Keywords: kernel; maize; weight.