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. 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.

中文翻译：

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玉米胚乳中玉米醇溶蛋白生物合成的调控。

我们回顾了目前关于玉米醇溶蛋白储存蛋白生物合成和蛋白体形成调控的知识，这是玉米籽粒中营养物质成功积累的关键过程。草科（禾本科）作物种子中的储存蛋白质是人类膳食蛋白质的主要来源。在玉米 (Zea mays) 中，蛋白质是籽粒中的第二大营养成分，约占籽粒重量的 10%。玉米粒中超过一半的储存蛋白是玉米醇溶蛋白，它缺乏两种必需氨基酸，赖氨酸和色氨酸。这种缺陷限制了玉米蛋白在食品和饲料工业中的使用。玉米蛋白由一个大的超基因家族编码。在胚乳发育过程中，玉米醇溶蛋白在来源于粗面内质网的蛋白体中积累。最近几年，我们对玉米醇溶蛋白生物合成途径及其在胚乳内的沉积的了解已经大大扩展。在这篇综述中，我们总结了目前对玉米醇溶蛋白的认识，包括编码这些蛋白质的基因、它们的表达模式和转录调控、蛋白体形成的过程以及其他影响玉米醇溶蛋白积累的生物学过程。