Maize endosperm RNA sequencing

To characterize the transcriptomic response in maize endosperm to starch mutations, RNA sequencing was performed on near-isogenic lines (NILs) (Wildtype, sh2, and su1) in six genetic backgrounds. Lines were grown in field conditions and kernels were sampled in consecutive developmental stages (blister stage at 14 days after pollination (DAP), milk stage at 21 DAP, and dent stage at 28 DAP). Kernels were dissected to separate embryo and pericarp from the endosperm tissue and 3-prime RNA-seq libraries were prepared.