穗型是作物高产育种的关键性状，其相关基因的发掘和调控机制的解析是性状改良的基础。谷子作为新兴模式植物，是研究C4禾谷类作物功能基因的理想材料。本团队从谷子EMS突变体库中鉴定出一个穗秃尖且短小的突变体，图位克隆分离得到目标基因SiTAA1，且突变的SNP位点是位于SiTAA1基因启动子的一个顺式作用元件,对研究SiTAA1的转录调控具有重要意义。初步研究表明，SiTAA1可能通过一个新的途径参与调控谷子穗发育。本研究拟首先对突变体表型性状进行深入调查，系统分析其表型形成的分子细胞学基础；然后对SiTAA1进行转基因验证及功能分析；同时筛选结合野生型启动子且不结合突变体启动子的转录因子，初步建立SiTAA1调控谷子穗发育的遗传网络，为作物产量性状遗传改良提供基因资源和理论基础。

Panicle architecture is one of the most important agronomical traits that directly contribute to grain yield in crop. Identification of key genes and the regulatory mechanisms that control this quantitative trait is critical for crops genetic improvement. Setaria italica is now becoming a promising model crop for functional genomics in Panicoideae, especially but not limited in the aspects of drought tolerance and C4 photosynthesis. Our lab screened the taa1 mutant from a library of EMS induced mutants, which show panicle apical abortion and shortness compared to wild type. We isolated the candidate gene SiTAA1 by an integrative method of map-based clone and high-throughput sequencing. Based on these results, we will focus on studying SiTAA1 function and it downstream signaling regulation network, with cytobiology, bioinformatics, genetics and molecular biology methods. Moreover, we plan to screen core transcription factors that directly bind to wild-type promoter of SiTAA1, but not to mutant with the SNP to establish a genetic regulatory network of SiTAA1 on panicle development. Our research may unearth new insight into the molecular mechanism of panicle development, and provide a substantial basis and resource for genetic improvement of crops.