PR002201 (Project)

Description:Lipid metabolism is very important for plant male reproduction. Many lipid metabolism genes, male sterility (GMS) genes play a role in the endoplasmic reticulum of anther tapetum, but little is known about GMS genes involved in the de novo synthesis of fatty acids in anther tapetum. Using gene mapping, we cloned a new GMS gene, enoyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) reductase (ZmENR1). enr1 (mutation of enoyl-ACP reductase gene) has early tapetum degradation, anther epidermis and pollen exine defects. In order to further study the function of ZmENR1, we compared the changes of lipid content in anthers of wild-type (WT) and enr1 mutants at maturity. The expression of ZmENR1 significantly affected the contents of cutin, wax and total fatty acids (TFA) in anthers. In addition, enr1 mutant reduced the expression of cutin/wax and sporopollen related genes to inhibit the formation of anther epidermis and pollen exine. Therefore, our researches provide a new insight into the synthesis of fatty acids mediated by ZmENR1, and provide an insight into the molecular mechanism of ZmENR1 regulating maize male sterility.