A detailed comparative in silico and functional analysis of ccd1 gene in maize gives new insights of its expression and functions.

Background: Biofortified maize with enhanced carotenoid content was developed to combat vitamin A deficiency. However, it was observed that during storage, carotenoids present in maize grain get degraded and it has been reported that carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase1 (ccd1) is responsible for this degradation.

Methods And Results: In our current study, comprehensive in-silico analysis deciphered a complete overview of the ccd1 gene in maize including the gene structures, phylogeny, chromosomal locations, promoter analysis, conserved motifs and interacting protein partners. In addition to these, a comparative in-silico analysis of the ccd1 gene in maize, rice and Arabidopsis was performed. An intronic region of ccd1, unique to the maize genome, was matched significantly with a lot of long non-coding RNA and was identified. Also, growth stage-specific ccd1 expression analysis was performed in two maize inbred lines, V335PV and HKI161PV. The results indicate that both inbred lines displayed higher ccd1 expression during reproductive stages compared to vegetative stages, with the highest expression level observed at the milking stage in both inbreds.

Conclusion: This detailed in-silico characterisation and expression analysis of the ccd1 gene contributes to our understanding of its activity and expression pattern in maize in stage and tissue-specific manner. This study will further provide an effective strategy for manipulating the ccd1 gene to enhance the carotenoid content of maize grain, thereby aiding in the combat against vitamin A deficiency.