In recent years, the problem of anemia caused by iron deficiency has been serious worldwideCornAs one of the main food crops in developing countries, its iron content is low, which is very important for alleviationHidden hungerProblem solving presents challenges. However,Chinese AgricultureScienceyard cropsScienceInstituteScienceHome through research findings,Corninside the kernelIron elementand the transport mechanismRegulationGenes can be increased by overexpression of specific genesCornIron content of the kernels. This important discovery was made for the cultivation of high-yielding and iron-rich onesCornTheoretical and technical support was provided for the new variety.
Passed 273 copiesCornInbred linesGenotypeData and 6 parts of extreme materialTranscriptomeAnalysis of data,ScienceHome successfully locked a key gene, ZMNAC78, which is inCornHigh expression in endosperm 16-24 days after pollination. Further experiments showed that the ZMNAC78 gene was able to directly activate three metal ion transporters, which are responsible for themRegulationIron elementof entry. The researchers believe that the ZMNAC78 gene, together with these metal transporters, forms a molecular switch that is controlled by thisIron elementEnterCorngrain pathways, thus significantly improvedCornThe amount of iron in the kernels.
With this new discovery,ScienceHome developedMolecular markerstechnology has laid the foundation for exploring the application of genes in breeding. By willingCornHaplotype 1 with high iron content and haplotype 2 with low iron content were divided into ZMNAC78 gene coresPromoterDoneMolecular markersScienceExperiments were conducted in different regions. The results showed that compared to haplotype 2, haplotype 1CornThe average iron content of the material increased by 2582%-33.91%, significantly higher than domestic hybridizationCornThe iron content of the variety. Especially with control varietiesZhengdan 958Compared to the combination of 1CornThe material exhibited excellent iron content and yield, which further verified the importance and feasibility of ZMNAC78 gene.
The breakthrough in this research not only provides a new solution to the problem of deficiency of trace elements such as ironScienceAt the same time, it also provides a new idea for analyzing the nutrient entry mechanism of other cereal crops, such as wheat. In the future, based on this discovery, high-yielding and iron-rich ones will be cultivatedCornNew varieties will be possible and are expected to improve the iron status of the population in a low-cost manner, especially for people with the following populationsCornThis is particularly important for developing countries, where staple food is the staple food.
ChinaScienceHome was foundCornGrain iron transport molecule switchRegulationThe gene ZMNAC78 and its molecular switching mechanism with metal transporters. By exploiting this discovery,ScienceHome successfully cultivated iron-richCornnew varieties for the solution ".Hidden hunger"The question provides new ideas and theoretical support. The application of this research result is expected to improve people's iron nutrition status on a global scale, which is of great significance for improving the nutritional value and yield of food crops.