Mining of Potential Gene Resources for Breeding Nutritionally Improved Maize
Quancan Hou,
Tianye Zhang,
Kangtai Sun,
Tingwei Yan,
Linlin Wang,
Lu Lu,
Wei Zhao,
Yuchen Qi,
Yan Long,
Xun Wei,
Xiangyuan Wan
Affiliations
Quancan Hou
Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Shunde Graduate School, University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), Beijing 100024, China
Tianye Zhang
Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Shunde Graduate School, University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), Beijing 100024, China
Kangtai Sun
Agricultural High-Tech Department, China Rural Technology Development Center, Ministry of Science and Technology, Beijing 100045, China
Tingwei Yan
Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Shunde Graduate School, University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), Beijing 100024, China
Linlin Wang
Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Shunde Graduate School, University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), Beijing 100024, China
Lu Lu
Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Shunde Graduate School, University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), Beijing 100024, China
Wei Zhao
Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Shunde Graduate School, University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), Beijing 100024, China
Yuchen Qi
Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Shunde Graduate School, University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), Beijing 100024, China
Yan Long
Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Shunde Graduate School, University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), Beijing 100024, China
Xun Wei
Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Shunde Graduate School, University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), Beijing 100024, China
Xiangyuan Wan
Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Shunde Graduate School, University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), Beijing 100024, China
Maize is one of the leading food crops and its kernel is rich in starch, lipids, protein and other energy substances. In addition, maize kernels also contain many trace elements that are potentially beneficial to human health, such as vitamins, minerals and other secondary metabolites. However, gene resources that could be applied for nutrient improvement are limited in maize. In this review, we summarized 107 genes that are associated with nutrient content from different plant species and identified 246 orthologs from the maize genome. In addition, we constructed physical maps and performed a detailed expression pattern analysis for the 246 maize potential gene resources. Combining expression profiles and their potential roles in maize nutrient improvement, genetic engineering by editing or ectopic expression of these genes in maize are expected to improve resistant starch, oil, essential amino acids, vitamins, iron, zinc and anthocyanin levels of maize grains. Thus, this review provides valuable gene resources for maize nutrient improvement.
