Expanding the maize domestication gene network: from phenotype to gene

扩大玉米驯化基因网络：从表型到基因

• 批准号: 1934865
• 负责人: John Doebley
• 金额: $ 98.21万
• 依托单位: University of Wisconsin-Madison
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2020-07-01 至 2023-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1934865&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Expanding; maize; domestication; gene; network

Like other crop plants, corn or maize was domesticated from a wild plant species. Corn was domesticated approximately 10,000 years ago in southern Mexico. Domestication profoundly transformed the structure and appearance of the corn plant, converting an unproductive wild species into the most highly productive crop grown in the US today. The research will elucidate the genetic basis for some of these changes in plant structure. Specifically, the research will identify two of the genes that converted pollen bearing tassels into seed bearing ears during domestication. This conversion of tassels into ears is central to the mechanism that made corn a highly productive crop grown throughout the world today. Once the two new genes are identified, the research will also dissect how these genes work in concert with other known genes to form a “gene network” controlling the structure of the maize plant. Each gene in the network is like an individual gear in a complex machine of many gears that work together. Understanding this gene network will facilitate the efforts of plant breeders to improve maize even more. To reach beyond the maize genetics’ community, this project will engage the broader society in four ways: (1) Develop public outreach and education displays on crop domestication, (2) establish an annual workshop for US and Mexican plant scientists, (3) train undergraduate students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and (4) train graduate students in effective communication of scientific research.This research will better define the gene network that was modified to produce domesticated maize from its wild progenitor, teosinte. Previously, several genes contributing to the transformation of teosinte into maize have been identified: teosinte branched 1 (tb1) that regulates plant and inflorescence structure; teosinte glume architecture 1 (tga1) that regulates ear structure; grassy tillers 1 (gt1) that regulated plant architecture; and enhancer of tb1 (etb1.2) that affects ear structure. These four genes are members of a maize gene network that controls plant and inflorescence architecture. The project will focus on the conversion of the staminate inflorescences (tassels) at the tips of primary branches in teosinte into the pistillate inflorescences (ears) in maize. The aims of the project are: (1) fine-map a quantitative trait locus (QTL) called stam2.1 to its underlying gene, (2) fine-map a second QTL called stam1.1 to its underlying gene, and (3) characterize the interactions of stam1.1 and stam2.1 with tb1 at the phenotypic and gene expression levels. The research will add to the understanding of domestication and the genetic control of plant development. To engage the broader community, four activities will be undertaken. (1) An annual workshop for plant scientists in the US and Mexico will be organized. (2) One undergraduate student from a disadvantaged background will be trained each year. (3) UW Graduate students will develop and present “exploration stations” on crop domestication for public outreach. (4) A graduate level course on giving effective lectures to large audiences will be developed.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

像其他作物一样，玉米是从一种野生植物驯化而来的。大约一万年前，玉米在墨西哥南部被驯化。驯化深刻地改变了玉米植物的结构和外观，将一种非生产性野生物种转变为当今美国种植的最高产作物。该研究将阐明一些植物结构变化的遗传基础。具体来说，该研究将确定在驯化过程中将携带花粉的穗子转化为携带种子的穗的两个基因。这种将穗子转化为穗的过程是使玉米成为当今世界上高产作物的核心机制。一旦确定了这两个新基因，该研究还将剖析这些基因如何与其他已知基因协同工作，形成一个控制玉米植株结构的“基因网络”。网络中的每个基因就像一个由许多齿轮组成的复杂机器中的单个齿轮。了解这个基因网络将有助于植物育种者进一步改进玉米。为了超越玉米遗传学社区，该项目将通过以下四种方式吸引更广泛的社会参与：(1)开展关于作物驯化的公共宣传和教育展示，(2)为美国和墨西哥的植物科学家建立年度研讨会，(3)培训来自弱势背景的本科生，(4)培训研究生进行有效的科学研究交流。这项研究将更好地定义转基因玉米的基因网络，使其从野生祖先大刍草中产生驯化玉米。此前，已经确定了几个促进大刍草转化为玉米的基因：调节植物和花序结构的大刍草分枝1 (tb1)；Teosinte glume architecture 1 （tga1）调控果穗结构；调节植物结构的草状分蘖1 (gt1)；以及影响耳朵结构的tb1 （ethb1.2）增强剂。这四个基因是控制植物和花序结构的玉米基因网络的成员。该项目将侧重于将大刍草初级分枝顶端的雄蕊花序（穗状花序）转化为玉米的雌蕊花序（穗状花序）。该项目的目标是：(1)将称为stam2.1的数量性状位点（QTL）精细定位到其基础基因上，(2)将第二个称为stam1.1的QTL精细定位到其基础基因上，(3)在表型和基因表达水平上表征stam1.1和stam2.1与tb1的相互作用。该研究将增加对驯化和植物发育遗传调控的认识。为了使更广泛的社区参与，将开展四项活动。(1)每年在美国和墨西哥组织一次植物科学家研讨会。(2)每年培养1名贫困家庭本科学生。(3)研究生将开发和展示作物驯化的“探索站”，向公众推广。将开设一门研究生水平的课程，向广大听众讲授有效的课程。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。