The light and hypoxia induced gene ZmPORB1 determines tocopherol content in the maize kernel

Tocopherol is an important lipid-soluble antioxidant beneficial for both human health and plant growth. Here, we fine mapped a major QTL-qVE1 affecting γ-tocopherol content in maize kernel, positionally cloned and confirmed the underlying gene ZmPORB1 (por1), as a protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase. A 13.7 kb insertion reduced the tocopherol and chlorophyll content, and the photosynthetic activity by repressing ZmPORB1 expression in embryos of NIL-K22, but did not affect the levels of the tocopherol precursors HGA (homogentisic acid) and PMP (phytyl monophosphate). Furthermore, ZmPORB1 is inducible by low oxygen and light, thereby involved in the hypoxia response in developing embryos. Concurrent with natural hypoxia in embryos, the redox state has been changed with NO increasing and H₂O₂ decreasing, which lowered γ-tocopherol content via scavenging reactive nitrogen species. In conclusion, we proposed that the lower light-harvesting chlorophyll content weakened embryo photosynthesis, leading to fewer oxygen supplies and consequently diverse hypoxic responses including an elevated γ-tocopherol consumption. Our findings shed light on the mechanism for fine-tuning endogenous oxygen concentration in the maize embryo through a novel feedback pathway involving the light and low oxygen regulation of ZmPORB1 expression and chlorophyll content.