Scientists find a gene switch that helps corn survive drought
Wang Z, He Y, Yang Y, Li N, Li C
Crispr
If you've watched corn in a garden or field wilt during a dry spell, this points to a specific genetic dial breeders could turn to raise tougher, more drought-resistant varieties.
Researchers found a gene in corn called ZmNAC20 that acts like a switch helping young corn plants cope with dry conditions. When they disabled the gene using gene-editing tools, the seedlings struggled much more in drought, showing the gene is protective. They also traced a chain of molecular partners working with it, including another gene that turns it on and a protein called YIGE1 that may act downstream, though that last link still needs more testing.
Key Findings
CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of ZmNAC20 in maize caused increased drought sensitivity in seedlings, confirming it as a positive regulator of drought tolerance.
ZmNAC110 acts upstream of ZmNAC20, both activating its transcription and physically interacting with the ZmNAC20 protein.
CUT&Tag profiling showed ZmNAC20 is linked to changes in H3K27me3 (a chromatin mark) across active genomic regions, with YIGE1 identified as the top candidate downstream target.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Scientists identified a gene in corn, ZmNAC20, that helps young seedlings survive drought by working with chromatin-modifying proteins to turn on protective responses, pointing to a possible breeding target for more drought-resistant crops.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
ZmNAC20 positively regulates drought tolerance in maize seedlings via a chromatin-associated network.
The potential yield and establishment of maize are severely restricted by early developmental drought. Although NAC transcription factors are known to control abiotic stress responses, the role of ...
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