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Dryad

The genetic architecture of cell-type-specific cis-regulation in maize

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Dec 23, 2024 version files 232.20 MB

Abstract

Gene expression and complex phenotypes are determined by the activity of cis-regulatory elements. However, an understanding of how extant genetic variants affect cis-regulation remains limited. Here, we investigated the consequences of cis-regulatory diversity using single-cell genomics of >0.7 million nuclei across 172 maize inbreds. Our analyses pinpointed cis-regulatory elements distinct to domesticated maize and revealed how historical transposon activity has rewired the regulatory landscape. Leveraging principles of population genetics, we fine-mapped ~22,000chromatin accessibility-associated genetic variants with widespread cell-type-specific effects. Variants in TEOSINTE BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR binding sites were the most prevalent determinants of chromatin accessibility. Finally, integration of chromatin accessibility-assocaited variants, organismal trait variation, and population differentiation revealed how local adaptation has rewired regulatory networks in unique cellular context to alter maize flowering phenotypes.