Genome-Wide Identification of IDL Gene Family in Maize and Its Expression Analysis during Root Development

LI Yanhua; LI Chunyang; WU Xiaolin; WANG Wei; LIU Hui

doi:10.15933/j.cnki.1004-3268.2026.01.005

Abstract：The IDL[IDA(inflorescence deficient in abscission)-like]gene family members were identified in maize at the whole-genome level,and their physicochemical properties,phylogenetic evolution,and cis-elements in promoter region were analyzed.The expression patterns of ZmIDL genes in different regions(meristem zone,elongation zone,maturation zone)and tissues(stele,cortex)of the primary root,as well as under hormone and drought treatments were detected using quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR),which would lay a foundation for revealing the role of IDL gene in maize root development.The results showed that seven ZmIDL genes(ZmIDL1-7)were identified,classified into three subgroups and distributed across six chromosomes without collinearity.Their promoter regions contained cis-elements in response to hormones and abiotic stresses.Expression analysis revealed that ZmIDL genes were highly expressed in the root cortex,pericarp|aleurone and silk,and responded to multiple abiotic stresses including drought,low/high temperature,salt and UV.qRT-PCR analysis revealed that ZmIDL1/3/4/6 expression levels were significantly higher in Zhengdan 958 root cortex than those in stele,while ZmIDL2 and ZmIDL7 expression levels were higher in stele;ZmIDL5 did not express.As the germination time extended,ZmIDL1 expression level gradually increased in maturation zone,meristem zone and elongation zone of primary root of Xianyu 335,while ZmIDL6 expression level increased only in the maturation zone of primary root of Xianyu 335,with no significant change in meristem zone and elongation zone of primary root of Zhengdan 958 and Xianyu 335.When auxin transport was blocked in the maturation zone of primary root,ZmIDL1/6 expression level significantly increased,but significantly decreased after transport recovery.Under early drought stress(16 h for Zhengdan 958,8 h for Xianyu 335),ZmIDL6 and ZmIDL1 expression levels increased in the maturation zone of primary root.These findings suggest that ZmIDL6 and ZmIDL1 may synergistically regulate maize root development and respond to drought stress.