The maize B chromosome shapes the transcriptome throughout the entire plant life cycle.

ABSTRACT: Maize (Zea mays) is one of the world's most important crops and a recognized model for biological research, with some individuals having supernumerary B chromosomes. This B chromosome has been studied for decades, yet its gene expression across different plant tissues has not been thoroughly described. Here, we present a comprehensive transcriptomic atlas of the maize plant with and without the B chromosome. By analysing 11 tissues/organs, we found that genes encoded by the B chromosome contribute to the transcriptome throughout plant growth, with the highest activity observed in reproductive organs. Co-expression analysis revealed a cluster of 30 genes expressed specifically in tassels and indicated that Shortage in chiasmata 1 is a promising candidate for regulation of crossover frequenc

SUBMITTER: Hlouskova L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12675260 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature