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Peer-reviewedCC BYGenes

Integrative Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses Reveal Molecular Processes Associated with Differential Embryo Dehydration in Maize.

  • Putong Wang1,2
  • Tengjiao Jia1,2
  • Long Zhang1,2
  • Cheng Li1,2
  • Jing Wang1,2
  • Jiwei Yang1,2
  • Zhanyi Zhang1,2
  • Ziyu Qin1,2
  • Jinxia Ma1,2
  • Qizong Cai1,2
  • Lifeng Wang1,2
  • Huiyong Li1,2
  1. 1Institute of Cereal Crops, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450002, China.
  2. 2State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio-Breeding, Zhengzhou 450002, China.
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Abstract

Background/objectives

Kernel dehydration is an important agronomic trait influencing mechanical harvesting efficiency, post-harvest drying costs, and grain storage quality in maize (Zea mays L.). Although the genetic and molecular basis of whole-kernel dehydration has been increasingly investigated, tissue-specific physiological and molecular patterns, particularly those associated with the embryo, remain insufficiently characterized. In this study, four maize inbred lines with contrasting dehydration capacities were selected to characterize tissue-specific dehydration dynamics and associated molecular patterns.Methods

Moisture content and dehydration rates of kernels, endosperms, and embryos were monitored from 10 to 55 days after pollination (DAP), followed by correlation analyses with kernel- and ear-related agronomic traits. Transcriptome sequencing, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and untargeted metabolomics were integrated to characterize molecular processes associated with contrasting embryo dehydration phenotypes.Results

Embryo dehydration closely paralleled whole-kernel dehydration, and embryo dehydration rate was strongly associated with kernel dehydration rate. Transcriptomic and WGCNA analyses revealed developmental- and genotype-dependent expression changes, particularly during late maturation, and identified dehydration-associated modules enriched in lipid metabolism, glycolysis, hormone signaling, and stress-responsive processes, including fatty acid metabolism, ABA- and ethylene-related signaling, and MAPK-related genes. FDR-controlled metabolomics further revealed genotype- and developmental-stage-dependent metabolite differences associated with organic acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, transport-associated processes, and secondary metabolism. Pathway-level integration highlighted ABA- and ethylene-associated candidate processes associated with variation in embryo dehydration.Conclusions

Collectively, these findings provide an embryo-focused characterization of physiological and multi-omics variation associated with maize kernel dehydration and identify candidate molecular processes for further functional investigation. Further validation across broader germplasm panels, environmental conditions, and experimental systems will be required to determine the causal roles and potential breeding relevance of these candidate processes.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{wang2026integrative,
  title = {{Integrative Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses Reveal Molecular Processes Associated with Differential Embryo Dehydration in Maize.}},
  author = {Putong Wang and Tengjiao Jia and Long Zhang and Cheng Li and Jing Wang and Jiwei Yang and Zhanyi Zhang and Ziyu Qin and Jinxia Ma and Qizong Cai and Lifeng Wang and Huiyong Li},
  journal = {Genes},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.3390/genes17101196},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42938312},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Integrative Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses Reveal Molecular Processes Associated with Differential Embryo Dehydration in Maize.
AU  - Putong Wang
AU  - Tengjiao Jia
AU  - Long Zhang
AU  - Cheng Li
AU  - Jing Wang
AU  - Jiwei Yang
AU  - Zhanyi Zhang
AU  - Ziyu Qin
AU  - Jinxia Ma
AU  - Qizong Cai
AU  - Lifeng Wang
AU  - Huiyong Li
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/27
JO  - Genes
DO  - 10.3390/genes17101196
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42938312
AB  - Background/objectives  Kernel dehydration is an important agronomic trait influencing mechanical harvesting efficiency, post-harvest drying costs, and grain storage quality in maize (Zea mays L.). Although the genetic and molecular basis of whole-kernel dehydration has been increasingly investigated, tissue-specific physiological and molecular patterns, particularly those associated with the embryo, remain insufficiently characterized. In this study, four maize inbred lines with contrasting dehydration capacities were selected to characterize tissue-specific dehydration dynamics and associated molecular patterns.Methods  Moisture content and dehydration rates of kernels, endosperms, and embryos were monitored from 10 to 55 days after pollination (DAP), followed by correlation analyses with kernel- and ear-related agronomic traits. Transcriptome sequencing, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and untargeted metabolomics were integrated to characterize molecular processes associated with contrasting embryo dehydration phenotypes.Results  Embryo dehydration closely paralleled whole-kernel dehydration, and embryo dehydration rate was strongly associated with kernel dehydration rate. Transcriptomic and WGCNA analyses revealed developmental- and genotype-dependent expression changes, particularly during late maturation, and identified dehydration-associated modules enriched in lipid metabolism, glycolysis, hormone signaling, and stress-responsive processes, including fatty acid metabolism, ABA- and ethylene-related signaling, and MAPK-related genes. FDR-controlled metabolomics further revealed genotype- and developmental-stage-dependent metabolite differences associated with organic acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, transport-associated processes, and secondary metabolism. Pathway-level integration highlighted ABA- and ethylene-associated candidate processes associated with variation in embryo dehydration.Conclusions  Collectively, these findings provide an embryo-focused characterization of physiological and multi-omics variation associated with maize kernel dehydration and identify candidate molecular processes for further functional investigation. Further validation across broader germplasm panels, environmental conditions, and experimental systems will be required to determine the causal roles and potential breeding relevance of these candidate processes.
SN  - 2073-4425
ER  -