Hybrid vigor, also known as heterosis, has been widely utilized in agronomic production of maize (Zea mays L.) and other crops. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying heterosis are still not fully understood. To provide a more complete understanding of the transcriptomic dynamics associated with heterosis, we collected a comprehensive set of sequence data on linear mRNA transcripts and circular RNAs (circRNAs) from seedling leaves of two widely used maize inbred lines and their F1 hybrid at the V4 growth stage. We detected over 25,000 expressed genes with more than 1200 circRNAs that showed dramatic and distinct variations in expression level across the three genotypes. Although most linear and circular transcripts exhibited additive expression in the hybrid, the expression of circRNAs was more likely to be nonadditive. Interestingly, the levels of linear transcripts and their corresponding circRNAs from the same loci showed a significant relationship and coordinated expression mode across all three genotypes. Notably, in the hybrid, allele-specific expression of linear transcripts was significantly associated with the expression of circRNAs from the same locus, suggesting potential regulatory cross talk between linear and circular transcripts. Our study provides a deeper understanding of dynamic variations for both the linear and circular transcriptome in a classical hybrid triplet of maize.

中文翻译：

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玉米杂交和亲本系中环状和线性RNA的动态模式。

杂种优势，也称为杂种优势，已被广泛用于玉米（Zea mays L.）和其他农作物的农业生产。但是，仍然没有完全了解杂种优势的分子机制。为了更全面地了解与杂种优势相关的转录组动力学，我们从两个广泛使用的玉米自交系及其F1杂种在V4生长期的幼苗叶片中收集了线性mRNA转录本和环状RNA（circRNA）的全套序列数据阶段。我们检测了超过25,000个表达的基因和1200多个circRNA，它们在三种基因型之间的表达水平均表现出明显而不同的变化。尽管大多数线性和环状转录物在杂种中表现出加性表达，但是circRNA的表达更可能是非加性的。有趣的是 同一基因座的线性转录本及其相应的circRNA的水平在所有这三种基因型之间均表现出显着的相关性和协调的表达方式。值得注意的是，在杂种中，线性转录本的等位基因特异性表达与来自同一基因座的circRNA的表达显着相关，这表明线性和环状转录本之间存在潜在的调控串扰。我们的研究提供了对玉米经典杂种三胞胎中线性和圆形转录组动态变化的更深刻理解。线性转录本的等位基因特异性表达与来自同一基因座的circRNA的表达显着相关，这表明线性和环状转录本之间存在潜在的调控串扰。我们的研究提供了对玉米经典杂种三胞胎中线性和圆形转录组动态变化的更深刻理解。线性转录本的等位基因特异性表达与来自同一基因座的circRNA的表达显着相关，这表明线性和环状转录本之间存在潜在的调控串扰。我们的研究提供了对玉米经典杂种三胞胎中线性和圆形转录组动态变化的更深刻理解。