Abstract
Maize kernel size is regulated by multiple genetic pathways, including the evolutionarily conserved mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, which plays crucial roles in plant growth and development. However, the function of MAPKK kinases in maize kernel development remains poorly understood. Here, we identified mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 (ZmMKK4) as a positive regulator of kernel development in maize. ZmMKK4 is localized primarily in the nucleus and cytoplasm and shows high expression levels across multiple tissues, including kernels. Knockout mutants of zmmkk4 resulted in significantly reduced kernel size and weight, accompanied by severe impairments in kernel development. Furthermore, we observed a decrease in starch content accompanied by an increase in protein content in the mutant kernels. In summary, our study elucidates the role of ZmMKK4 in promoting kernel size and modulating starch and protein accumulation in maize, providing important insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying kernel development. These findings offer a theoretical foundation and a candidate gene for further research into maize kernel development and molecular breeding strategies. • ZmMKK4 functions as a positive regulator of maize kernel size. • The zmmkk4 gene knockout mutant has a decreased starch content and an increased protein content. • A candidate gene was provided that can be used for molecular marker-assisted selection or gene editing.
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Claims 9
Claim · model-written summary
ZmMKK4 was identified as a positive regulator of maize kernel development.
Zea maysOrganisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Here, we identified mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 (ZmMKK4) as a positive regulator of kernel development in maize.”
Claim · model-written summary
ZmMKK4 localized primarily to the nucleus and cytoplasm.
Not reportedDirection
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“ZmMKK4 is localized primarily in the nucleus and cytoplasm and shows high expression levels across multiple tissues, including kernels.”
t0“maize”
Claim · model-written summary
ZmMKK4 was highly expressed across multiple tissues including kernels.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“ZmMKK4 is localized primarily in the nucleus and cytoplasm and shows high expression levels across multiple tissues, including kernels.”
t0“maize”
Claim · model-written summary
zmmkk4 knockout reduced or impaired kernel size.
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Knockout mutants of zmmkk4 resulted in significantly reduced kernel size and weight, accompanied by severe impairments in kernel development.”
t0“maize”
Claim · model-written summary
zmmkk4 knockout reduced or impaired weight.
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Knockout mutants of zmmkk4 resulted in significantly reduced kernel size and weight, accompanied by severe impairments in kernel development.”
t0“maize”
Claim · model-written summary
zmmkk4 knockout reduced or impaired kernel development.
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Knockout mutants of zmmkk4 resulted in significantly reduced kernel size and weight, accompanied by severe impairments in kernel development.”
t0“maize”
Claim · model-written summary
Mutant kernels showed a decrease in starch content.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Furthermore, we observed a decrease in starch content accompanied by an increase in protein content in the mutant kernels.”
t0“maize”
Claim · model-written summary
Mutant kernels showed a increase in protein content.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Furthermore, we observed a decrease in starch content accompanied by an increase in protein content in the mutant kernels.”
t0“maize”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors present ZmMKK4 as a candidate for marker-assisted selection or gene editing.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“A candidate gene was provided that can be used for molecular marker-assisted selection or gene editing.”
t0“maize”
t1“ZmMKK4”