title: Metabolome-based genome-wide association study of maize kernel leads to novel biochemical insights.
abstract: Plants produce a variety of metabolites that have a critical role in growth and development. Here we present a comprehensive study of maize metabolism, combining genetic, metabolite and expression profiling methodologies to dissect the genetic basis of metabolic diversity in maize kernels. We quantify 983 metabolite features in 702 maize genotypes planted at multiple locations. We identify 1,459 significant locus-trait associations (P≤1.8 × 10(-6)) across three environments through metabolite-based genome-wide association mapping. Most (58.5%) of the identified loci are supported by expression QTLs, and some (14.7%) are validated through linkage mapping. Re-sequencing and candidate gene association analysis identifies potential causal variants for five candidate genes involved in metabolic traits. Two of these genes were further validated by mutant and transgenic analysis. Metabolite features associated with kernel weight could be used as biomarkers to facilitate genetic improvement of maize.
authors.affiliation: 1] National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China [2].
authors.forename: Weiwei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.affiliation: 1] National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China [2].
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
authors.forename: Yanqiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
authors.forename: Wenqiang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Institute of Crop Science, CIMMYT China Office, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
authors.forename: Huihui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
authors.forename: Haijun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
authors.forename: Jianbing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yan
mesh_terms: D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D055442:Metabolome / Q000235:genetics*; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci / Q000235:genetics; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*