title: Regulatory modules controlling maize inflorescence architecture.
abstract: Genetic control of branching is a primary determinant of yield, regulating seed number and harvesting ability, yet little is known about the molecular networks that shape grain-bearing inflorescences of cereal crops. Here, we used the maize (Zea mays) inflorescence to investigate gene networks that modulate determinacy, specifically the decision to allow branch growth. We characterized developmental transitions by associating spatiotemporal expression profiles with morphological changes resulting from genetic perturbations that disrupt steps in a pathway controlling branching. Developmental dynamics of genes targeted in vivo by the transcription factor RAMOSA1, a key regulator of determinacy, revealed potential mechanisms for repressing branches in distinct stem cell populations, including interactions with KNOTTED1, a master regulator of stem cell maintenance. Our results uncover discrete developmental modules that function in determining grass-specific morphology and provide a basis for targeted crop improvement and translation to other cereal crops with comparable inflorescence architectures.
authors.affiliation: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA;
authors.forename: Andrea L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Eveland
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goldshmidt
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pautler
authors.forename: Kengo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Morohashi
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liseron-Monfils
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Sunita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumari
authors.forename: Susumu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hiraga
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Unger-Wallace
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hake
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vollbrecht
authors.forename: Erich
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grotewold
authors.forename: Doreen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ware
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks; D017343:Genes, Plant; D018745:Genome, Plant; D007210:Indoleacetic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D056626:Inflorescence / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018519:Meristem / Q000235:genetics; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000378:metabolism; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018749:RNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D017423:Sequence Analysis, RNA; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007210:Indoleacetic Acids; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; D010940:Plant Proteins; D018749:RNA, Plant; D014157:Transcription Factors