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The regulation of zein biosynthesis in maize endosperm

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Abstract

Key message

We review the current knowledge regarding the regulation of zein storage proteins biosynthesis and protein body formation, which are crucial processes for the successful accumulation of nutrients in maize kernels.

Abstract

Storage proteins in the seeds of crops in the grass family (Poaceae) are a major source of dietary protein for humans. In maize (Zea mays), proteins are the second largest nutrient component in the kernels, accounting for ~ 10% of the kernel weight. Over half of the storage proteins in maize kernels are zeins, which lack two essential amino acids, lysine and tryptophan. This deficiency limits the use of maize proteins in the food and feed industries. Zeins are encoded by a large super-gene family. During endosperm development, zeins accumulate in protein bodies, which are derived from the rough endoplasmic reticulum. In recent years, our knowledge of the pathways of zein biosynthesis and their deposition within the endosperm has been greatly expanded. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of zeins, including the genes encoding these proteins, their expression patterns and transcriptional regulation, the process of protein body formation, and other biological processes affecting zein accumulation.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31730065, and 31425019 to RS) and the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFD0101003 to RS).

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  1. State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, National Maize Improvement Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Joint International Research Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China

    Chaobin Li & Rentao Song

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  1. Chaobin Li
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  2. Rentao Song
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RS conceived and outlined the review. CL and RS performed the literature search. CL wrote the first draft. CL and RS edited it in several rounds of reading.

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Correspondence to Rentao Song.

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Communicated by Mingliang Xu.

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Li, C., Song, R. The regulation of zein biosynthesis in maize endosperm. Theor Appl Genet 133, 1443–1453 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-019-03520-z

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