Global studies of maize kernels under hypoxia or hyperoxia conditions

Maize kernels are the largest cereal grains, and their endosperm is severely oxygen deficient throughout grain fill. The causes of this hypoxia are unknown and so too are how low-oxygen signals are integrated into normal developmental control of the maize kernel. RNA-sequencing was applied to address the questions. Gene expression showed reciprocal shifts upon experimental perturbation of oxygen supply.