title: Genome-wide comparative analysis of digital gene expression tag profiles during maize ear development.
abstract: The present study profiled and analyzed gene expression of the maize ear at four key developmental stages. Based on genome-wide profile analysis, we detected differential mRNA of maize genes. Some of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were predicted to be potential candidates of maize ear development. Several well-known genes were found with reported mutant analyses, such as, compact plant2 (ct2), zea AGAMOUS homolog1 (zag1), bearded ear (bde), and silky1 (si1). MicroRNAs such as microRNA156 were predicted to target genes involved in maize ear development. Antisense transcripts were widespread throughout all the four stages, and are suspected to play important roles in maize ear development. Thus, identification and characterization of important genes and regulators at all the four developmental stages will contribute to an improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for maize ear development.
authors.affiliation: Maize Research Institute of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China.
authors.forename: Hongjun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China.
authors.forename: Xuerong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China.
authors.forename: Xinhui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.affiliation: Interdepartmental Genetics Program, Iowa State University, Ames 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zuo
authors.affiliation: Maize Research Institute of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Zunyi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zunyi 563102, China.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.affiliation: Maize Research Institute of Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 150086 Harbin, China.
authors.forename: Shiliang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Department of Agronomy, Northeast Agricultural University, 150030 Harbin, China.
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China.
authors.forename: Huangkai
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Maize Research Institute of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China.
authors.forename: Yongzhong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Maize Research Institute of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China.
authors.forename: Sisi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Maize Research Institute of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China.
authors.forename: Yaou
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Maize Research Institute of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China.
authors.forename: Haijian
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lübberstedt
authors.affiliation: Maize Research Institute of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China. Electronic address: zzmmaize@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Zhiming
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Maize Research Institute of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China. Electronic address: pangt@sicau.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Guangtang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pan
mesh_terms: D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D018745:Genome, Plant; D016372:RNA, Antisense / Q000032:analysis; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D059467:Transcriptome; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016372:RNA, Antisense; D014157:Transcription Factors
keywords: DGE; Ear development; Maize; MicroRNA156; Transcriptional factor