Blue-light-enhanced interaction between ZmCRY1s and GL2 modulates epidermal wax composition in Zea mays.

ABSTRACT: Cryptochromes (CRYs) are photolyase-like blue-light/ultraviolet-A (UV-A) receptors that regulate diverse aspects of plant growth and development. Maize (Zea mays), a major crop often grown under high UV-B radiation, harbors four copies of CRY. However, whether CRYs in maize have evolved to improve UV tolerance or acquire novel functions remains unclear. In this study, CRISPR-Cas9-engineered Zmcry mutants are used to investigate the functions of ZmCRYs in maize. The findings reveal that ZmCRYs act redundantly in mediating blue light signaling and inhibiting mesocotyl elongation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that ZmCRYs mediate blue light-enhanced UV-B stress tolerance in maize by upregulating the expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis of UV-B stress tolerance-related metabolites, i

SUBMITTER: Zhao Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12827465 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature