maize endosperm development

Maize (Zea mays) serves as a versatile crop for grain, economic, and forage purposes, with its yield and quality being pivotal in determining its economic value. The aleurone layer, located at the outermost part of the endosperm, is rich in nutrients such as lipids, proteins, and minerals. Increasing the thickness of the aleurone layer can significantly enhance the nutritional value of the cereal grains. We conducted RNA-seq analysis on the endosperm at different developmental stages of maize, aiming to identify key genes regulating aleurone layer development.