Sorghum Gene Regulation Study Launched

By Scout Nelson

A new University of Nebraska–Lincoln research project will focus on improving the scientific understanding of sorghum by studying how tiny gene fragments, called microexons, influence important plant traits. Supported

by a three-year, $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, researchers Chi Zhang, Edgar Cahoon and Bin Yu aim to identify microexons across the sorghum genome and determine how they affect stress response and oil accumulation.

Sorghum is the fifth most important cereal grain in the world and is widely valued for its nutrition, versatility, and drought tolerance. In the United States, it is the third-largest cereal grain grown and is used for food, feed, and biofuel production. Because of its resilience, the Department of Energy views sorghum as a promising biomass energy crop.

Microexons are extremely small pieces of genetic code, ranging from one to 15 nucleotides. They are much smaller than typical exons and are difficult to detect, which has caused them to be overlooked for years. Even a single nucleotide change can alter a protein, meaning microexons may play a major role in how plants grow and respond to their environment.

Zhang and his colleagues have already made progress in this field. Their team began researching microexons five years ago and published a major paper in Nature Communications in 2022. They also developed a public database of plant microexons, providing a strong base for the new project.

“The insights and tools developed in our earlier work provide the technical infrastructure and biological context necessary for the success of this new phase,” Zhang said.

The project will integrate genomics, biochemistry, RNA biology, and advanced computational tools. Zhang will lead the effort, focusing on genomics and data analysis. The Cahoon will study sorghum traits related to microexons, drawing on his expertise in plant lipid metabolism. Yu will work on RNA biology and method development to verify experimental findings.

“This coordinated effort will ensure computational rigor and biological relevance throughout the study,” Zhang said.

The research aims to help future plant breeding and genetic engineering efforts, supporting the development of crops that can thrive under climate stress and contribute to sustainable bioenergy production.

Photo Credit:istock-mailson-pignata