花药发育是植物种子形成的关键环节，也是作物杂交育种的重要研究对象。雄性不育突变体是研究花药发育的理想材料和杂种优势利用的重要资源。GDSL酯酶/脂肪酶蛋白（GELP）在植物中广泛存在，但其功能少有报道。申请人前期研究发现，玉米ZmMs30基因编码一个功能未知的GELP蛋白（ZmGELP2），且在植物进化中高度保守；ZmMs30/ZmGELP2基因的突变，可能导致花药外壁角质层合成受阻、花粉发育异常和雄性不育。在此基础上，本项目拟综合利用细胞遗传学、分子生物学、多种组学、生理生化和杂种优势测试等技术手段，研究ZmMs30/ZmGELP2基因调控花药发育的作用时期和靶标位点及其参与的基因网络和代谢通路，最终解析其调控花药外壁和花粉发育的分子机理，推进作物GELP基因的功能研究。同时，通过分子设计创制并评估基于ZmMs30基因的工程不育材料，为玉米杂种优势利用和不育化杂交制种提供参考依据。

Anther/pollen development is a critical step in plant seed formation which is required for successful hybrid breeding. Maize genetic male sterile mutant has been widely studied for its biological significance on anther/pollen developmental study and commercial value in hybrid seed production. GDSL esterase/lipase protein (GELP) widely spreads throughout the plant kingdom, but little is known about its function. Our previous study showed that the ZmMs30 gene encoded a novel GDSL esterase/lipase protein (ZmGELP2). Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that plant GELP genes are highly conserved in structure. Dysfunction of ZmMs30 may lead to abnormal anther exine and pollen development and male sterility. Here, based on the combination strategies of cytological genetics, molecular biology, physiological and biochemical analysis, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and heterosis test between the wild type and ms30 mutant, the genetic networks and molecular mechanism of ZmMs30/ZmGELP2 in regulating anther exine and pollen development will be investigated deeply. At the same time, the engineering male-sterile materials based on ZmMs30 gene will be created by the molecular design strategy. This work will provide new insights into the molecular mechanism of GELP in modulating anther and pollen development in plants and lead to potential use in maize male-sterility engineering and hybrid seed production.