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THP9 enhances seed protein content and nitrogen-use efficiency in maize

Author

Listed:
  • Yongcai Huang

    (Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Haihai Wang

    (Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yidong Zhu

    (Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xing Huang

    (Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Shuai Li

    (Shanghai Normal University)

  • Xingguo Wu

    (Shanghai Normal University)

  • Yao Zhao

    (Shandong Agricultural University)

  • Zhigui Bao

    (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Li Qin

    (Qilu Normal University)

  • Yongbo Jin

    (Shanghai Normal University)

  • Yahui Cui

    (Shanghai Normal University)

  • Guangjin Ma

    (Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Qiao Xiao

    (Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Qiong Wang

    (Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jiechen Wang

    (Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xuerong Yang

    (Shandong Agricultural University)

  • Hongjun Liu

    (Shandong Agricultural University)

  • Xiaoduo Lu

    (Qilu Normal University)

  • Brian A. Larkins

    (University of Arizona)

  • Wenqin Wang

    (Shanghai Normal University)

  • Yongrui Wu

    (Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

Teosinte, the wild ancestor of maize (Zea mays subsp. mays), has three times the seed protein content of most modern inbreds and hybrids, but the mechanisms that are responsible for this trait are unknown1,2. Here we use trio binning to create a contiguous haplotype DNA sequence of a teosinte (Zea mays subsp. parviglumis) and, through map-based cloning, identify a major high-protein quantitative trait locus, TEOSINTE HIGH PROTEIN 9 (THP9), on chromosome 9. THP9 encodes an asparagine synthetase 4 enzyme that is highly expressed in teosinte, but not in the B73 inbred, in which a deletion in the tenth intron of THP9-B73 causes incorrect splicing of THP9-B73 transcripts. Transgenic expression of THP9-teosinte in B73 significantly increased the seed protein content. Introgression of THP9-teosinte into modern maize inbreds and hybrids greatly enhanced the accumulation of free amino acids, especially asparagine, throughout the plant, and increased seed protein content without affecting yield. THP9-teosinte seems to increase nitrogen-use efficiency, which is important for promoting a high yield under low-nitrogen conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Yongcai Huang & Haihai Wang & Yidong Zhu & Xing Huang & Shuai Li & Xingguo Wu & Yao Zhao & Zhigui Bao & Li Qin & Yongbo Jin & Yahui Cui & Guangjin Ma & Qiao Xiao & Qiong Wang & Jiechen Wang & Xuerong , 2022. "THP9 enhances seed protein content and nitrogen-use efficiency in maize," Nature, Nature, vol. 612(7939), pages 292-300, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:612:y:2022:i:7939:d:10.1038_s41586-022-05441-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05441-2
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