Discovery of putative CEP-CEPD signaling network in Zea mays through a transcriptional lens

Studies have shown that eudicots utilize a long-distance nitrogen signaling pathway to coordinate nitrogen uptake from roots-to-shoot and back down shoot-to-root. This is known as the CEP–CEPR–CEPD signaling pathway and has been documented in Arabidopsis as well as other monocots when induced under nitrogen stress. This research explores whether similar mechanisms exist in maize, an important monocot crop widely cultivated around the world. We focus on a family of proteins called glutaredoxins (GRXs), which are also known as ROXYs, and are known to be players in long-distance nitrogen signaling pathway of CEPs. Using comparative genomics across over 400 plant species, we identify maize genes related to Arabidopsis GRXs, especially those in the B-gamma clade known for their role in nitrogen signaling. We analyze gene sequences to classify subgroups and examine their activity using RNA sequencing data of maize grown under nitrogen-deficient conditions from the field. Our findings suggest that maize may use similar signaling components as Arabidopsis, including potential CEPD-like genes expressed in shoots during nitrogen stress. This research provides new insight into how CEPDs potentially regulate nitrogen responses in maize and opens the opportunity of using maize as a reporter plant for nitrogen stress in the field.

My time here at BTI and Cornell overall was such wonderful and enlightening experience. My experience here has refined my pursuit of bioinformatics, and I truly hope to continue my path of pursuing research through a computational lens. I am very thankful to be a part of a collaborative research project this summer under two labs, the Nelson lab and the Frank lab under Noor Albader’s mentorship. Noor’s guidance in the world of research has been transformative and heartwarming to witness as I spent my 10 weeks here. Through this experience, I’ve not only polished my skills in bioinformatics but, more importantly, gained a stronger sense of appreciation for agriculture in my life.