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Updated: Nov 21, 2025

Agrobacterium-Mediated Immature Embryo Transformation of Recalcitrant Maize Inbred Lines Using Morphogenic Genes
Published on: February 14, 2020
Emb15 encodes a plastid ribosomal assembly factor essential for embryogenesis in maize.
Chunhui Xu1, Yun Shen1, Cuiling Li1
1Key Laboratory of Plant Development and Environmental Adaptation Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao Campus, Qingdao, 266237, China.
We identified a new maize protein, embryo defective 15 (Emb15), essential for plant plastid ribosome assembly. Its RimM domain is crucial for ribosome maturation and maize seed development.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Ribosome assembly is critical for cellular function but poorly understood in plant plastids.
- Plant plastid ribosome biogenesis involves intricate coordination of ribosomal proteins and RNAs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel factors involved in plant plastid ribosome assembly.
- To elucidate the function of the embryo defective 15 (emb15) gene in maize (Zea mays).
Main Methods:
- Characterization of the maize emb15 mutant.
- Analysis of EMB15 protein localization and domain function.
- Complementation assays in Escherichia coli and maize mutants.
Main Results:
- The emb15 mutant exhibits defects in embryo development and an albino phenotype.
- EMB15 contains bacterial RimM and fungal-like pyrophosphorylase domains, with the RimM domain being essential.
- EMB15 interacts with ribosomal protein PRPS19 and is vital for plastid 16S rRNA maturation.
Conclusions:
- EMB15 is a crucial plastid ribosome assembly factor in maize seed development.
- The N-terminal RimM domain of EMB15 plays a key role in ribosome biogenesis, while the C-terminal domain appears less critical under normal conditions.
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