Maize kernel filling, which is closely related to the process of double fertilization and is sensitive to a variety of environmental conditions, is an important component of maize yield determination. Silk is an important tissue of maize ears that can discriminate pollen and conduct pollination. Therefore, investigating the molecular mechanisms of kernel development and silk senescence will provide important information for improving the pollination rate to obtain high maize yields. In this study, transcript profiles were determined in an elite maize inbred line (KA105) to investigate the molecular mechanisms functioning in self-pollinated and unpollinated maize kernels and silks. A total of 5285 and 3225 differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) were identified between self-pollinated and unpollinated maize in a kernel group and a silk group, respectively. We found that a large number of genes involved in key steps in the biosynthesis of endosperm storage compounds were upregulated after pollination in kernels, and that abnormal development and senescence appeared in unpollinated kernels (KUP). We also identified several genes with functions in the maintenance of silk structure that were highly expressed in silk. Further investigation suggested that the expression of autophagy-related genes and senescence-related genes is prevalent in maize kernels and silks. In addition, pollination significantly altered the expression levels of senescence-related and autophagy-related genes in maize kernels and silks. Notably, we identified some specific genes and transcription factors (TFs) that are highly expressed in single tissues. Our results provide novel insights into the potential regulatory mechanisms of self-pollinated and unpollinated maize kernels and silks.

中文翻译：

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转录组分析提供了对玉米籽粒和蚕丝发育分子机制的见解

玉米籽粒灌浆与双施过程密切相关，对多种环境条件敏感，是决定玉米产量的重要组成部分。蚕丝是玉米穗的重要组织，可以辨别花粉并进行授粉。因此，研究籽粒发育和蚕丝衰老的分子机制将为提高授粉率以获得高产玉米提供重要信息。在这项研究中，在优良玉米自交系 (KA105) 中确定了转录谱，以研究在自花授粉和未授粉玉米籽粒和玉米丝中发挥作用的分子机制。在一个籽粒组和一个丝组中，在自花授粉和未授粉玉米之间共鉴定出 5285 和 3225 个差异表达转录本（DET），分别。我们发现，在籽粒授粉后，参与胚乳贮藏化合物生物合成关键步骤的大量基因上调，未授粉籽粒 (KUP) 出现异常发育和衰老。我们还鉴定了几个具有维持丝绸结构功能的基因，这些基因在丝绸中高度表达。进一步研究表明，自噬相关基因和衰老相关基因在玉米籽粒和蚕丝中普遍表达。此外，授粉显着改变了玉米籽粒和蚕丝中衰老相关和自噬相关基因的表达水平。值得注意的是，我们确定了一些在单个组织中高度表达的特定基因和转录因子 (TF)。