GRASSY TILLERS1 ( GT1 ) and SIX-ROWED SPIKE1 ( VRS1 ) homologs share conserved roles in growth repression

Author:

Gallagher Joseph P.12ORCID,Man Jarrett1,Chiaramida Adriana1,Rozza Isabella K.1,Patterson Erin L.1,Powell Morgan M.1,Schrager-Lavelle Amanda1,Multani Dilbag S.34,Meeley Robert B.3,Bartlett Madelaine E.1ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Biology Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003

2. Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit, US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Corvallis, OR 97331

3. Corteva Agriscience, Johnston, IA 50131

4. Napigen, Inc., Wilmington, DE 19803

Abstract

Crop engineering and de novo domestication using gene editing are new frontiers in agriculture. However, outside of well-studied crops and model systems, prioritizing engineering targets remains challenging. Evolution can guide us, revealing genes with deeply conserved roles that have repeatedly been selected in the evolution of plant form. Homologs of the transcription factor genes GRASSY TILLERS1 ( GT1 ) and SIX-ROWED SPIKE1 ( VRS1 ) have repeatedly been targets of selection in domestication and evolution, where they repress growth in many developmental contexts. This suggests a conserved role for these genes in regulating growth repression. To test this, we determined the roles of GT1 and VRS1 homologs in maize ( Zea mays ) and the distantly related grass brachypodium ( Brachypodium distachyon ) using gene editing and mutant analysis. In maize, gt1; vrs1-like1 ( vrl1 ) mutants have derepressed growth of floral organs. In addition, gt1; vrl1 mutants bore more ears and more branches, indicating broad roles in growth repression. In brachypodium, Bdgt1; B dvrl1 mutants have more branches, spikelets, and flowers than wild-type plants, indicating conserved roles for GT1 and VRS1 homologs in growth suppression over ca. 59 My of grass evolution. Importantly, many of these traits influence crop productivity. Notably, maize GT1 can suppress growth in arabidopsis ( Arabidopsis thaliana ) floral organs, despite ca . 160 My of evolution separating the grasses and arabidopsis. Thus, GT1 and VRS1 maintain their potency as growth regulators across vast timescales and in distinct developmental contexts. This work highlights the power of evolution to inform gene editing in crop improvement.

Funder

National Science Foundation

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Publisher

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Subject

Multidisciplinary

Cited by 3 articles. 订阅此论文施引文献 订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3