Epi-Brassinolide Regulates <i>ZmC4 NADP-ME</i> Expression through the Transcription Factors <i>ZmbHLH157</i> and <i>ZmNF-YC2</i>

Maize is a main food and feed crop with great production potential and high economic benefits. Improving its photosynthesis efficiency is crucial for increasing yield. Maize photosynthesis occurs mainly through the C4 pathway, and NADP-ME (NADP-malic enzyme) is a key enzyme in the photosynthetic carbon assimilation pathway of C4 plants. ZmC4-NADP-ME catalyzes the release of CO₂ from oxaloacetate into the Calvin cycle in the maize bundle sheath. Brassinosteroid (BL) can improve photosynthesis; however, its molecular mechanism of action remains unclear. In this study, transcriptome sequencing of maize seedlings treated with epi-brassinolide (EBL) showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in photosynthetic antenna proteins, porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism, and photosynthesis pathways. The DEGs of <i>C4-NADP-ME</i> and pyruvate phosphate dikinase in the C4 pathway were significantly enriched in EBL treatment. Co-expression analysis showed that the transcription level of ZmNF-YC2 and ZmbHLH157 transcription factors was increased under EBL treatment and moderately positively correlated with <i>ZmC4-NADP-ME</i>. Transient overexpression of protoplasts revealed that ZmNF-YC2 and ZmbHLH157 activate <i>C4-NADP-ME</i> promoters. Further experiments showed ZmNF-YC2 and ZmbHLH157 transcription factor binding sites on the −1616 bp and −1118 bp ZmC4 NADP-ME promoter. ZmNF-YC2 and ZmbHLH157 were screened as candidate transcription factors mediating brassinosteroid hormone regulation of the ZmC4 NADP-ME gene. The results provide a theoretical basis for improving maize yield using BR hormones.