ARS | Publication request: MOLECULAR POPULATION GENETICS OF MAIZE DOMESTICATION

Submitted to: Maize Genetics Conference Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: January 5, 2005
Publication Date: March 10, 2005
Citation: Zhao, Q., Mcmullen, M.D., Doebley, J. 2005. Molecular population genetics of maize domestication [abstract]. Maize Genetics Conference. Paper No. 176. p. 130.

Technical Abstract: The domestication of maize resulted in a dramatic change in its plant architecture and inflorescence development as compared to its wild ancestor, teosinte, with the most remarkable difference being in their female inflorescence (ear) structure. Only a few genes have been uncovered to be associated with selection during domestication, such as tb1, dwarf8, and the starch pathway genes, etc. One group of interesting genes as candidates targeted by selection is the MADS-box genes, the key regulators of inflorescence and flower development. Besides the MADS-box genes, there are many other genes regulating plant vegetative and reproductive development and thus forming another set of candidates as targets for selection. We sequenced about 40 maize MADS-box genes and some other developmental genes in a common set of maize inbred lines, maize landrace and teosintes to investigate how selection shaped the diversity of MADS-box genes and other plant developmental genes during the domestication of maize. The proportion of selected genes in MADS-box gene family will be compared to that found in a set of loci chosen at random to see whether MADS-box genes are a specific target of selection during maize domestication. We will also test the hypothesis whether it is more likely for genes at a specific developmental stage to become targets of selection.