Genetic variations in <i>ZmEREB179</i> are associated with waterlogging tolerance in maize

Kun Liang; Chenxu Zhao; Jing Wang; Xueqing Zheng; Feng Yu; Fazhan Qiu

doi:10.1016/j.jgg.2024.04.005

Volume 52 Issue 3

Mar. 2025

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Genetic variations in ZmEREB179 are associated with waterlogging tolerance in maize

doi: 10.1016/j.jgg.2024.04.005

a. National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China;
b. State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Science, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei 430062, China

Funds:

This study was supported by the science and technology major program of Hubei Province (2022ABA001), the National Key Research and Development Program of Shandong Province (2022CXPT014), and the Knowledge Innovation Program of Wuhan-Shugung Project (2023020201020413).

Received Date: 2024-01-07
Accepted Date: 2024-04-10
Rev Recd Date: 2024-04-10

Available Online: 2025-07-11

Publish Date: 2024-04-16

Abstract

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays) is highly susceptible to waterlogging stress, which reduces both the yield and quality of this important crop. However, the molecular mechanism governing waterlogging tolerance is poorly understood. In this study, we identify a waterlogging- and ethylene-inducible gene ZmEREB179 that encodes an ethylene response factor (ERF) localized in the nucleus. Overexpression of ZmEREB179 in maize increases the sensitivity to waterlogging stress. Conversely, the zmereb179 knockout mutants are more tolerant to waterlogging, suggesting that ZmEREB179 functions as a negative regulator of waterlogging tolerance. A transcriptome analysis of the ZmEREB179-overexpressing plants reveals that the ERF-type transcription factor modulates the expression of various stress-related genes, including ZmEREB180. We find that ZmEREB179 directly targets the ZmEREB180 promoter and represses its expression. Notably, the analysis of a panel of 220 maize inbred lines reveals that genetic variations in the ZmEREB179 promoter (Hap2) are highly associated with waterlogging resistance. The functional association of Hap2 with waterlogging resistance is tightly co-segregated in two F₂ segregating populations, highlighting its potential applications in breeding programs. Our findings shed light on the involvement of the transcriptional cascade of ERF genes in regulating plant-waterlogging tolerance.
- Maize,
- Waterlogging,
- Ethylene response factor,
- Transcriptional regulation,
- Natural variations

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References(59)

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