Mutant lpa1 Analysis of ZmLPA1 Gene Regulates Maize Leaf-Angle Development through the Auxin Pathway

Maize plant type is one of the main factors determining maize yield, and leaf angle is an important aspect of plant type. The rice Loose Plant Architecture1 (LPA1) gene and Arabidopsis AtIDD15/SHOOT GRAVITROPISM5 (SGR5) gene are related to their leaf angle. However, the homologous ZmLPA1 in maize has not been studied. In this study, the changing of leaf angle, as well as gene expression in leaves in maize mutant lpa1 and wild-type ‘B73’ under different IAA concentrations were investigated. The regulation effect of IAA on the leaf angle of lpa1 was significantly stronger than that of the wild type. Transcriptome analysis showed that different exogenous IAA treatments had a common enrichment pathway—the indole alkaloid biosynthesis pathway—and among the differentially expressed genes, four genes—AUX1, AUX/IAA, ARF and SAUR—were significantly upregulated. This study revealed the regulation mechanism of ZmLPA1 gene on maize leaf angle and provided a promising gene resource for maize breeding.