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Updated: Dec 5, 2025
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Discrimintion and Mapping of the Primary and Processed Transcripts in Maize Mitochondrion Using a Circular RT-PCR-based Strategy
Published on: July 29, 2019
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Molecular Evolution of Maize Ascorbate Peroxidase Genes and Their Functional Divergence
Chunxiang Qu1, Lin Wang2, Yingwei Zhao1
1School of Biology & Basic Medical Sciences, Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
Genes
|October 20, 2020
Summary
Maize ascorbate peroxidase (APX) genes evolved into eight types, with distinct roles in growth, stress, and senescence. Understanding these APX functions aids in developing high-yield, resistant maize varieties.
Area of Science:
- Plant molecular biology
- Genomics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) is a key antioxidant enzyme crucial for plant defense.
- The maize APX gene family comprises multiple genes encoding various isoenzymes.
- Previous studies have broadly classified APX genes in higher plants into classes A, B, and C.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary history and functional divergence of the maize APX gene family.
- To identify and characterize the specific APX genes present in maize.
- To elucidate the subcellular localization and expression patterns of maize APX isoenzymes.
Main Methods:
- Comparative genomics analysis of APX genes across higher plants.
- Bioinformatic analysis to identify and classify maize APX genes.
- Experimental data on gene expression and subcellular localization.
Main Results:
- Eight maize APX genes (APXa1-3, APXb1-2, APXc1.1-2, APXc2) were identified, originating from single ancestral genes duplicated over evolutionary time.
- Class A APX genes localize to chloroplasts/mitochondria, while Class B and C genes are found in peroxisomes and cytoplasm, respectively.
- Distinct expression patterns were observed for the eight APX genes across different maize organs and developmental stages, suggesting specialized functions.
Conclusions:
- Maize APX genes exhibit functional divergence, with specific isoenzymes implicated in normal antioxidant metabolism (APXa1, APXb1), stress response (APXa2, APXb2, APXc1.1, APXc1.2), and senescence (APXb2, APXc2).
- This detailed understanding of maize APX gene functions provides a foundation for breeding improved maize varieties with enhanced yield and stress resistance.
Keywords:
DNA microarrayascorbate peroxidasecomparative genomicfunctional divergencemaizemolecular evolutionspecific expressionMore Related Videos
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