RESEARCH-PGR: Anchoring phenotypes to gene networks for embryo formation in maize

玉米是世界上产量最高的作物之一，为不断增长的人口提供食物。美国是最大的玉米生产国和出口国。每个玉米粒都含有一个胚胎，如果种下玉米粒，它就会长成一株植物。活力旺盛的胚对玉米植株的健康生长至关重要，从而实现产量最大化。胚胎还提供有价值的营养物质，包括不饱和玉米油、维生素E和其他抗氧化剂。尽管这个胚胎很重要，但控制其形成和与核其他器官相互作用的基因还不太清楚。计划中的工作将确定在穗核发育过程中控制胚胎生长的相互作用基因网络。参与胚胎生长的基因将通过分析胚胎形成中携带遗传缺陷的单个植物的基因组来确定。本研究将利用和补充国家统一玉米遗传公共资源，对基因功能进行系统分析。这种遗传分析揭示的基因反过来又与胚胎发育过程中作用时间相关的基因网络进行比较。研究结果将为提高玉米的质量和数量揭示新的自然遗传变异来源。该项目还将通过博物馆项目与公众建立联系，并将培训学生将基因组学技术应用于具有基础和实际重要性的问题。玉米胚在籽粒生长过程中对胚与胚乳之间的资源分配有显著影响。谷类胚胎的一个显著特征是它独特的器官——盾。除了众所周知的稻壳在发芽中的作用外，稻壳也是影响谷物营养品质的脂溶性维生素和不饱和油的储存场所。令人惊讶的是，鳞片形成和生长的过程在很大程度上仍然是未知的。计划的工作针对这个独特器官的发育控制：目标1将对从UniformMu玉米群体中分离的86个胚胎突变体进行高通量、表型-基因型分析。目标2将通过结合转录组网络分析和目标1中鉴定的胚胎表型的深入形态学、代谢和分子分析，描绘和遗传锚定胚胎发生的基因网络。目标3将通过玉米合作遗传库存中心和MaizeGDB.org补充和改善枯竭的种子库存，提高它们的可用性和可及性，从而增强UniformMu国家遗传研究公共资源。该项目将通过公共博物馆项目、资源研讨会、主动参与和用户支持来接触不同的社区。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。

Corn is among the world's most productive crops and provides food for a growing population. The United States is the largest producer and exporter of corn. Every corn kernel contains an embryo that will grow into a plant if the kernel is planted. A vigorous embryo is critical for establishing the healthy stand of corn plants needed to maximize yield. The embryo also supplies valuable nutrients including unsaturated corn oil, vitamin E, and other anti-oxidants. Despite the importance of this embryo, the genes that control its formation and interaction with other organs of the kernel are not well understood. Planned work will identify networks of interacting genes that control growth of the embryo as the kernel develops on the ear. Genes involved in embryo growth will be identified by analyzing genomes of individual plants that carry heritable defects in embryo formation. This research will use and augment the UniformMu national public resource for corn genetics developed for systematic analysis of gene function. Genes revealed by this genetic analysis are in turn compared to networks of genes identified by correlations in timing of action during embryo development. Results will delineate new sources of natural genetic variation for improving quality and quantity of maize. The project will also connect with the public via museum programs, and will train students in application of genomics technologies to problems with both fundamental and practical importance.The maize embryo dramatically impacts resource partitioning between embryo and endosperm during kernel growth. A striking feature of the cereal-grain embryo is its unique organ-- the scutellum. In addition to well-known roles of the scutellum in germination, it is also the storage site for lipid-soluble vitamins and unsaturated oils that impact nutritional quality of the grain. Surprisingly, the processes involved in formation and growth of the scutellum remain largely unknown. Planned work targets the developmental control of this distinctive organ: Objective 1 will implement high-throughput, phenotype-to-genotype analysis for 86 embryo mutants isolated from the UniformMu maize population. Objective 2 will delineate and genetically anchor gene networks for embryogenesis by combining transcriptome-network analysis with in-depth morphological, metabolic, and molecular analysis of embryo phenotypes identified in Objective 1. Objective 3 will enhance the UniformMu national public resource for genetic research by replenishing and improving depleted seed stocks to aid their availability and accessibility via the Maize Cooperation Genetics Stock Center and MaizeGDB.org. The project will reach out to diverse communities through public museum programs, resource workshops, proactive engagement, and user support.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.