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Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Measuring Gene Expression in Bombarded Barley Aleurone Layers with Increased Throughput
Published on: March 30, 2018
A coordinated network of ABA signaling, photorespiratory and proteostasis in EMS-induced maize mutant with enhanced
Xiaodong Wang1, Yantian Lu2, Shenqi Gao1
1Institute of Crops Research, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi, China.
Abstract:
Water deficit poses a significant constraint on maize (Zea mays L.) productivity, underscoring the need to identify novel genetic resources with enhanced resilience. Here, an ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-induced maize mutant, ems21S373204, displayed an enhanced drought-tolerant phenotype featured by stay-green leaves and an increased survival rate. Physiological characterization indicated that this mutant maintains higher leaf water content and more stable membrane integrity under water deficit, suggesting favorable physiological adjustments associated with drought resistance. Comparative transcriptomic profiling indicated that this tolerance is mediated by the transcriptional upregulation of the biosynthetic gene 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenases (NCED6), alongside the concurrent suppression of the negative regulator clade A type 2C protein phosphatases 9 (PP2C9). This signaling cascade is further linked to the activation of the antioxidant gene CAT2, leading to efficient scavenging of ROS and reduced lipid peroxidation. Crucially, metabolomic analysis uncovered a distinct metabolic reconfiguration in the mutant: contrasting with the stress-induced proteolysis observed in the wild type, the mutant exhibited preserved protein homeostasis, as evidenced by elevated soluble protein levels and suppressed accumulation of free amino acids. Furthermore, an integrated multi-omics analysis highlighted the concurrent upregulation of L-arginine:glycine amidinotransferase (AGAT) and Hypoxanthine Phosphoribosyltransferase (HPR) genes in conjunction with glycerate accumulation, suggesting that the photorespiratory pathway serves as an adaptive energy dissipation mechanism to safeguard the photosynthetic apparatus. These findings collectively elucidate a coordinated regulatory network in ems21S373204 that prioritizes nucleotide homeostasis, metabolic flexibility, and cellular homeostasis over passive survival, offering a valuable genetic framework for breeding climate-resilient crops.
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