Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 16, 2026

Lignin Down-regulation of Zea mays via dsRNAi and Klason Lignin Analysis
Published on: July 23, 2014
The Zm4CL2 gene regulates drought stress response in Zea mays L
Yuankai Wang1, Jiayi Fan1, Zhaohao Guo1
1College of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China.
Abstract:
4-Coumarate coenzyme A ligase (4CL), a core enzyme in the lignin biosynthesis route, has a significant role of regulation in plant capacity to cope with drought. 4CL has been less studied in corn resistance to drought stress. This study screened the maize drought tolerance-related gene Zm4CL2 by pre-laboratory transcriptome sequencing data (PRJNA793522). The dynamics of Zm4CL2 gene expression in maize leaves was studied under three different abiotic stress conditions (drought, salinity and exogenous ABA). The qRT-PCR analysis revealed that Zm4CL2 positively regulates drought stress responses in maize. Yeast two-hybrid and luciferase complementation assays confirmed the interaction between Zm4CL2 and ZmCCoAOMT proteins. Transgenic plants overexpressing Zm4CL2 exhibited significantly lower malondialdehyde content, H2O2 levels, and O2-content compared to wild-type and knockout plants. Subsequently, We propose that Zm4CL2 enhances drought stress resilience by mitigating reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Additionally, Zm4CL2 modulates drought stress adaptation by regulating lignin biosynthesis-related gene expression, thereby altering lignin accumulation. This investigation identifies novel candidate genes for strategic breeding of drought-tolerant maize cultivars.
More Related Videos
10:29Measuring Gene Expression in Bombarded Barley Aleurone Layers with Increased Throughput
Published on: March 30, 2018
08:31Kinematic Analysis of Cell Division and Expansion: Quantifying the Cellular Basis of Growth and Sampling Developmental Zones in Zea mays Leaves
Published on: December 2, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Responses to Drought and Flooding
Responses to Salt Stress
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata
Gene Regulation During Sporulation
Responses to Heat and Cold Stress