RT Journal
A1 Eveland, Andrea L.
A1 Goldshmidt, Alexander
A1 Pautler, Michael
A1 Morohashi, Kengo
A1 Liseron-Monfils, Christophe
A1 Lewis, Michael W.
A1 Kumari, Sunita
A1 Hiraga, Susumu
A1 Yang, Fang
A1 Unger-Wallace, Erica
A1 Olson, Andrew
A1 Hake, Sarah
A1 Vollbrecht, Erik
A1 Grotewold, Erich
A1 Ware, Doreen
A1 Jackson, David
T1 Regulatory modules controlling maize inflorescence architecture
JF Genome Research 
JO Genome Research 
YR 2014 
FD March 01 
VO 24 
IS 3 
SP 431 
OP 443 
DO 10.1101/gr.166397.113 
UL http://genome.cshlp.org/content/24/3/431.abstract 
AB Genetic control of branching is a primary determinant of yield, regulating seed number and harvesting ability, yet little is known about the molecular networks that shape grain-bearing inflorescences of cereal crops. Here, we used the maize (Zea mays) inflorescence to investigate gene networks that modulate determinacy, specifically the decision to allow branch growth. We characterized developmental transitions by associating spatiotemporal expression profiles with morphological changes resulting from genetic perturbations that disrupt steps in a pathway controlling branching. Developmental dynamics of genes targeted in vivo by the transcription factor RAMOSA1, a key regulator of determinacy, revealed potential mechanisms for repressing branches in distinct stem cell populations, including interactions with KNOTTED1, a master regulator of stem cell maintenance. Our results uncover discrete developmental modules that function in determining grass-specific morphology and provide a basis for targeted crop improvement and translation to other cereal crops with comparable inflorescence architectures.