Shaomin Yang

Hainan Institute of Biotechnology, Haikou, 570206, Hainan, China
Author    Correspondence author
Maize Genomics and Genetics, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 3   doi: 10.5376/mgg.2024.15.0013
Received: 14 Apr., 2024    Accepted: 20 May, 2024    Published: 02 Jun., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Yang S.M., 2024, Transposable elements in zea: their role in genetic diversity and evolution, Maize Genomics and Genetics, 15(3): 123-135 (doi: 10.5376/mgg.2024.15.0013)

Transposable elements (TEs) are significant contributors to genetic diversity and evolutionary processes in Zea mays (maize). These mobile genetic elements can move within the genome, inducing mutations, structural variations, and changes in gene expression, which collectively enhance genetic variability and adaptability. TEs are maintained in a delicate balance within the genome, as they can be both deleterious and beneficial. In maize, TEs have been shown to play crucial roles in genome evolution, including the generation of allelic diversity and the regulation of gene expression. The maize genome is particularly rich in TEs, with recent advancements in annotation methods revealing a higher abundance and diversity of TEs than previously recognized. Moreover, the interplay between TEs and epigenetic mechanisms, such as RNA N6-methyladenosine modification, further underscores their role in the adaptive evolution of maize. This study synthesizes current knowledge on the impact of TEs on the genetic diversity and evolutionary dynamics of maize, highlighting their dual role as both genomic parasites and symbionts. The findings underscore the importance of TEs in shaping the maize genome and their potential in driving adaptive responses to environmental challenges.

Transposable elements; Genetic diversity; Evolution; Zea; Epigenetic regulation