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Comprehensive analyses of 1771 transcriptome from seven tissues enhance genetic and biological interpretations of maize complex traits

Lei, M.; Si, H.; Zhu, M.; Han, Y.; Liu, W.; Dai, Y.; Ji, Y.; Liu, Z.; Hao, F.; Hao, R.; Zhao, J.; Ye, G.; Zan, Y.

2023-08-13 genetics
10.1101/2023.08.09.552713 bioRxiv
Show abstract

By analyzing 1771 RNA-seq datasets from seven tissues in a maize diversity panel, we explored the landscape of multi-tissue transcriptome variation and evolution patterns of tissue-specific genes, and built a comprehensive multi-tissue gene regulation atlas to understand the genetic regulation of maize complex trait. Using transcriptome-wide association analysis, we linked tissue-specific expression variation of 45 genes to variation of 11 agronomic traits. Through integrative analyses of tissue-specific gene regulatory variation with genome-wide association studies, we detected relevant tissue types and candidate genes for a number of agronomic traits, including leaf during the day for anthesis-silking interval (GRMZM2G093210), leaf during the day for kernel Zeinoxanthin level (GRMZM2G143202), and root for ear height (GRMZM2G700665), highlighting the contribution from tissue-specific gene expression to variation of agronomic trait. Our findings provide novel insights into the genetic and biological mechanisms underlying complex traits in maize, and the multi-tissue regulatory atlas serves as a primary source for biological interpretation, functional validation, and genomic improvement of maize.

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