Affiliation:
1. Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences
2. Sichuan Agricultural University
Abstract
Abstract
Maize ((Zea mays L.) is one of the three major grains in the world, widely cultivated globally. Heavy metal Zn pollution poses great risks to corn growth and food security, posing a serious threat to the environment and human health. HMA belongs to the transport protein of the heavy metal ATPase family and can transport Zn2+ and Cd2+ across membranes. To identify the gene function of maize ZmHMA3 in response to Zn pollution, this study constructed a CRISPR-Cas9 mediated ZmHMA3 knockout mutant, using maize inbred line B104 as the genetic background. Under heavy metal Zn stress, gene specific expression, subcellular localization, agronomic traits, root morphology indicators, antioxidant indicators, and Zn content in various parts and subcellular components of cells were measured. Zmhma3 reduced various growth indicators (plant height, fresh weight, dry weight, and water content) and root morphology indicators of maize, decreased antioxidant enzyme activity, increased membrane permeability, and increased zinc accumulation. Various parameters indicate that under Zn stress, Zmhma3 exhibits weaker tolerance than WT, demonstrating the positive regulatory role of the ZmHMA3 gene in Zn stress. These have laid the foundation for exploring the regulatory mechanisms of plants in response to Zn pollution in the future. Key worlds Maize; HMA; heavy metal pollution; Zn; CRISPR-Caas9; gene function
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC