Activation of Mitochondrial orf355 Gene Expression by a Nuclear-Encoded DREB Transcription Factor Causes Cytoplasmic

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 15, 2025

Agrobacterium-Mediated Immature Embryo Transformation of Recalcitrant Maize Inbred Lines Using Morphogenic Genes
10:28

Agrobacterium-Mediated Immature Embryo Transformation of Recalcitrant Maize Inbred Lines Using Morphogenic Genes

Published on: February 14, 2020

24.5K

Senlin Xiao1, Jie Zang2, Yuanrong Pei2

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Maize DNA Fingerprinting and Molecular Breeding, Maize Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, 100097, China.

Molecular Plant
|July 7, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Plant fertility relies on nucleus-mitochondria communication. A study reveals ZmDREB1.7 transcription factor regulates cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in maize, uncovering a feedback loop critical for plant reproduction.

Area of Science:

  • Plant Biology
  • Genetics
  • Mitochondrial Biology

Background:

  • Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in plants is linked to impaired fertility, often involving complex interactions between nuclear and mitochondrial genomes.
  • Effective communication between mitochondria and the nucleus is essential for maintaining plant reproductive capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify nuclear factors regulating mitochondria-encoded genes involved in cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in maize.
  • To elucidate the regulatory mechanism of nucleus-mitochondria communication in determining plant male fertility.

Main Methods:

  • Yeast one-hybrid screening to identify transcription factors interacting with CMS genes.
  • Analysis of ZmDREB1.7 gene expression in sterile microspores and response to chemical treatments.
  • Characterization of a promoter mutant (Δpro) of ZmDREB1.7 to assess its role in male fertility restoration.
  • Investigation of mitochondrial retrograde signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • ZmDREB1.7, a nuclear transcription factor, was identified and found to activate the expression of the mitochondria-encoded CMS gene orf355.
  • A promoter mutant (Δpro) of ZmDREB1.7, lacking an unfolded protein response (UPR) motif, partially restored male fertility in CMS-S maize.
  • ZmDREB1.7 expression is induced by antimycin A, a mitochondrial stressor, and this induction is impaired in the Δpro allele.
  • Expression of orf355 triggers mitochondrial retrograde signaling, which in turn upregulates ZmDREB1.7 expression, establishing a positive feedback loop.

Conclusions:

  • A positive-feedback loop between the nuclear regulator ZmDREB1.7 and the mitochondrial CMS gene orf355 is a key determinant of male sterility in maize.
  • This study provides novel insights into the intricate mechanisms of nucleus-mitochondria communication governing plant fertility.
Keywords:
cytoplasmic male sterilitymaizenucleus–mitochondria communicationtranscription factor

More Related Videos

Discrimintion and Mapping of the Primary and Processed Transcripts in Maize Mitochondrion Using a Circular RT-PCR-based Strategy07:26

Discrimintion and Mapping of the Primary and Processed Transcripts in Maize Mitochondrion Using a Circular RT-PCR-based Strategy

Published on: July 29, 2019

6.4K
Lignin Down-regulation of Zea mays via dsRNAi and Klason Lignin Analysis14:43

Lignin Down-regulation of Zea mays via dsRNAi and Klason Lignin Analysis

Published on: July 23, 2014

13.8K

Related Concept Videos

Exon Recombination02:32

Exon Recombination

The evolution of new genes is critical for speciation. Exon recombination, also known as exon shuffling or domain shuffling, is an important means of new gene formation. It is observed across vertebrates, invertebrates, and in some plants such as potatoes and sunflowers. During exon recombination, exons from the same or different genes recombine and produce new exon-intron combinations, which might evolve into new genes. 
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon...
4.0K
Master Transcription Regulators02:23

Master Transcription Regulators

Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a  complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
7.6K
The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes02:45

The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes

In most organisms, sex is determined by the ratio of X and Y chromosomes. However, in some organisms, such as Drosophila and C.elegans, sex is determined by the ratio of the number of X chromosomes to the number of sets of autosomes. The Y chromosome in Drosophila is active but does not determine sex. It contains genes responsible for the production of sperms in adult flies.  
Normal male Drosophila has a ratio of one X chromosome to two sets of autosomes. In contrast, normal female...
9.2K
Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes02:19

Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes

A eukaryotic cell can have up to three different types of genetic systems: nuclear, mitochondrial, and chloroplast. During evolution, organelles have exported many genes to the nucleus; this transfer is still ongoing in some plant species. Approximately 18% of the Arabidopsis thaliana nuclear genome is thought to be derived from the chloroplast’s cyanobacterial ancestor, and around 75% of the yeast genome derived from the mitochondria’s bacterial ancestor. This export has occurred...
4.0K
Dosage Compensation02:50

Dosage Compensation

In animals, gender is determined by the number and type of sex chromosome. For example, human females have two X chromosomes, and males have one X and one Y chromosome, whereas C.elegans with one X chromosome is a male, and the one with two X chromosomes is a hermaphrodite.
In addition to sexual development, the X chromosome has genes involved in autosomal functions such as brain development and the immune system. Therefore, males and females with  distinct numbers of X chromosomes will...
6.9K
In-vitro Mutagenesis01:16

In-vitro Mutagenesis

To learn more about the function of a gene, researchers can observe what happens when the gene is inactivated or “knocked out,” by creating genetically engineered knockout animals. Knockout mice have been particularly useful as models for human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.
15.9K