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Background <p>WUS (WUSCHEL) is a homeobox transcription factor that serves as a key regulator in maintaining stem cells in an undifferentiated state. Plant stem cells possess the capacity for continuous division and differentiation, making them ideal recipients for genetic transformation.</p> Results <p>In this study, 24 <i>ZmWOXs</i> genes belonging to three subgroups (I-III) were identified in maize. Expression analysis of these genes across six callus time points (D0, D1, D2, D4, D6, D8) revealed their critical role in callus formation. Phylogenetic analysis resolved the family into three subgroups, and sequence inspection revealed a universally conserved homeodomain, predominant nuclear localization, and highly similar functional annotations for all encoded proteins. Promoter profiling showed an auxin- and meristem motif–rich cis-element landscape that is unevenly distributed among subgroups and underlies their divergent roles in callus differentiation. Time-course expression analysis uncovered six <i>ZmWUS-like</i> genes that are steadily up-regulated during callus induction; the four most highly expressed members represent ready-to-use endogenous morphogenic factors for rapidly boosting maize transformation efficiency.</p> Conclusions <p>Taken together, our study delivers a genome-wide characterization of the maize <i>ZmWOX</i> gene family and establishes a solid foundation for exploiting <i>ZmWOX</i> members to boost maize genetic transformation.</p>

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Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the maize ZmWOX gene family reveal its critical role in callus formation

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月17日

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  • Wei Hu,
  • Xia Hua,
  • Qi Cheng,
  • Mingle Wang,
  • Xinyan Sun,
  • Dan Wang,
  • Meichen Zhu,
  • Cuiping Xin,
  • Wenbo Yang,
  • Yanyong Cao

摘要

Background

WUS (WUSCHEL) is a homeobox transcription factor that serves as a key regulator in maintaining stem cells in an undifferentiated state. Plant stem cells possess the capacity for continuous division and differentiation, making them ideal recipients for genetic transformation.

Results

In this study, 24 ZmWOXs genes belonging to three subgroups (I-III) were identified in maize. Expression analysis of these genes across six callus time points (D0, D1, D2, D4, D6, D8) revealed their critical role in callus formation. Phylogenetic analysis resolved the family into three subgroups, and sequence inspection revealed a universally conserved homeodomain, predominant nuclear localization, and highly similar functional annotations for all encoded proteins. Promoter profiling showed an auxin- and meristem motif–rich cis-element landscape that is unevenly distributed among subgroups and underlies their divergent roles in callus differentiation. Time-course expression analysis uncovered six ZmWUS-like genes that are steadily up-regulated during callus induction; the four most highly expressed members represent ready-to-use endogenous morphogenic factors for rapidly boosting maize transformation efficiency.

Conclusions

Taken together, our study delivers a genome-wide characterization of the maize ZmWOX gene family and establishes a solid foundation for exploiting ZmWOX members to boost maize genetic transformation.