Rapid and uniform seed germination is required for modern cropping system. Thus, it is important to optimize germination performance through breeding strategies in maize, in which identification for key regulators is needed. Here, we characterized an AP2/ERF transcription factor, ZmEREB92, as a negative regulator of seed germination in maize. Enhanced germination in ereb92 mutants is contributed by elevated ethylene signaling and starch degradation. Consistently, an ethylene signaling gene ZmEIL7 and an α-amylase gene ZmAMYa2 are identified as direct targets repressed by ZmEREB92. OsERF74, the rice ortholog of ZmEREB92, shows conserved function in negatively regulating seed germination in rice. Importantly, this orthologous gene pair is likely experienced convergently selection during maize and rice domestication. Besides, mutation of ZmEREB92 and OsERF74 both lead to enhanced germination under cold condition, suggesting their regulation on seed germination might be coupled with temperature sensitivity. Collectively, our findings uncovered the ZmEREB92-mediated regulatory mechanism of seed germination in maize and provide breeding targets for maize and rice to optimize seed germination performance towards changing climates.

中文翻译：

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ZmEREB92 通过调节玉米中的乙烯信号传导和淀粉动员，在种子萌发中发挥负面作用。

现代耕作系统要求种子快速、均匀地发芽。因此，通过玉米育种策略优化发芽性能非常重要，其中需要识别关键调节因子。在这里，我们表征了 AP2/ERF 转录因子 ZmEREB92 作为玉米种子萌发的负调节因子。ereb92 突变体的发芽增强是由乙烯信号传导和淀粉降解增强所致。一致地，乙烯信号基因 ZmEIL7 和 α-淀粉酶基因 ZmAMYa2 被确定为 ZmEREB92 抑制的直接靶标。OsERF74 是 ZmEREB92 的水稻直系同源物，在负调控水稻种子萌发方面显示出保守的功能。重要的是，这个直系同源基因对可能在玉米和水稻驯化过程中经历了趋同选择。此外，ZmEREB92和OsERF74的突变均导致寒冷条件下发芽增强，表明它们对种子发芽的调节可能与温度敏感性有关。总的来说，我们的研究结果揭示了 ZmEREB92 介导的玉米种子萌发调节机制，并为玉米和水稻提供了育种目标，以优化种子萌发性能以应对气候变化。