NF-Y是真核生物中普遍存在的转录因子，参与植株对逆境胁迫的响应和生长发育的调控，是作物育种中值得重点关注的对象。本课题以分别转ZmNF-YB3、ZmNF-YA3、ZmNF-YA4基因和它们的RNAi结构的玉米株系为材料，利用酵母杂交和蛋白质免疫共沉淀、SDS-PAGE-串联质谱分析来寻找与靶基因编码蛋白互作的复合体成员，利用Chip-sequence和转录组分析来寻找靶蛋白结合的作用元件和下游基因及相关的代谢及信号转导途径。进而明确靶基因产物形成的转录调控复合体的组分，探讨个组分之间的相互作用、调控机制、作用位点、关键基因及它们调控的代谢或/和信号转导途径。通过揭示靶基因的表达改变对玉米植株抗逆性和生长发育的影响，寻找生长发育与抗逆性调控的交汇点，为玉米分子育种提供新策略和新基因。

NF-Y (nuclear factor-y) is a kind of transcription factors existing in all eukaryotic species and exhibit diversified biological functions. In plant, a number of NF-Y genes play important roles in the regulation of resistance to abiotic stresses and some processes of growth and development, and are valuable targets for crop breeding. In this project the lines of maize with transgene ZmNF-YB3、ZmNF-YA3、ZmNF-YA4 and their RNAi constructs, respectively, will be used as materials for study. The yeast-hybridization, protein coprecipitation, SDS-PAGE and tandem mass spectrometry analysis are used to identify the components of the protein complex; the Chip-sequence and whole-genome transcriptional sequence are used to look for the candidate functional elements, the key target genes, and the metabolism and/or signaling pathways that downstream genes involved in. The components of transcriptional complex of ZmNF-YB3, ZmNF-YA3 and ZmNF-YA4 involved in will be identified. The interaction and regulation of the transcriptional complex components, mechanisms of the regulation of target genes and the pathways will be discussed. New knowledge about the NF-Y complex, the differences and variety of the NF-Y family members will be accumulated in this project. The project is aimed at seeking the pivotal genes and pathways controlling the growth and development in maize to shape the strategies for the production of plants with improved tolerance to abiotic stresses and optimal yield in the fields under normal conditions.