Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42477526›Full record

ArticleBMC plant biology2026

Constitutive overexpression of GRF21, a 14-3-3 family protein, delays flowering time in maize (Zea mays).

Zetian Deng, Nipapan Kanjana, Jinghui Dong, Chuanhong Wang, Feiyang Zhan, Yibing Zhao, Tengyue Wang, Xin Peng, Peijin Li, Zhen Tao

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In one paragraph

Article in BMC plant biology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Zetian Deng *The National Key Engineering Lab of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, The School of Agronomy, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
Nipapan Kanjana *The National Key Engineering Lab of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, The School of Agronomy, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
Jinghui DongThe National Key Engineering Lab of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, The School of Agronomy, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
Chuanhong WangThe National Key Engineering Lab of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, The School of Agronomy, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
Feiyang ZhanThe National Key Engineering Lab of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, The School of Agronomy, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
Yibing ZhaoThe National Key Engineering Lab of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, The School of Agronomy, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
Tengyue WangThe National Key Engineering Lab of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, The School of Agronomy, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
Xin PengThe National Key Engineering Lab of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, The School of Agronomy, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
Peijin LiThe National Key Engineering Lab of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, The School of Agronomy, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China. Peijin.li@ahau.edu.cn.
Zhen TaoThe National Key Engineering Lab of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, The School of Agronomy, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China. Zhen.Tao@ahau.edu.cn.

Funding

National Key Research and Development Program of China No. 2022YFD1201803-2National Natural Science Foundation of China 32372084
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFlowering time represents a pivotal agronomic trait that determines regional adaptability and grain yield in maize (Zea mays). Members of the 14-3-3 protein family, also known as general regulatory factors (GRFs), function as central modulators of diverse developmental and physiological processes in plants. However, their specific roles in regulating flowering time in maize remain undefined.

resultsHere, we present a functional characterization of GRF21, a maize GRF family member, with particular emphasis on its role in floral transition. Through an integrative approach combining phylogenetic analysis, gene transformation, and genome-wide transcriptomic analysis, we show that constitutive overexpression of GRF21 delays flowering in maize, suggesting a potential role in flowering-time regulation. GRF21 localizes to both the nucleus and cytoplasm and accumulates predominantly in roots, stems, and reproductive tissues. Furthermore, transcriptomic analyses, supported by quantitative RT-PCR and dual-luciferase reporter assays, reveal that GRF21 represses the transcription of key flowering-promoting genes, including Zea mays CENTRORADIALIS 7 (ZCN7), ZCN8, and ZCN12, thereby suppressing floral transition.

conclusionsCollectively, these findings implicate GRF21 as a negative regulator of flowering time in maize, as evidenced by the delayed flowering phenotype associated with its overexpression. This work expands the current molecular framework underlying floral initiation and highlights GRF21 as a promising target for maize breeding.

Indexed as

14-3-3 ProteinsFlowersPlant ProteinsZea maysGene Expression Regulation, PlantPhylogenyPlants, Genetically Modified14-3-3 ProteinsPlant Proteins14-3-3 proteinFlowering timeGRF21MaizeZCN8

Identifiers

PMID42477526
PMCPMC13670493

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