Fig. 5

Analysis of the functions of ZmbHLH20 and ZmbHLH76 in regulating benzoxazinoids in maize protoplasts. A The change of benzoxazinoid contents induced by overexpressing and silencing ZmbHLH20 and ZmbHLH76 in maize protoplasts. B Transcript levels of BX1, BX2, BX3, BX4, BX5, BX6, BX7, BX8, BX9, and BX10/11 in maize protoplasts after overexpression or silencing of ZmbHLH20 and ZmbHLH76. Protoplasts transformed with empty vector were used as controls. Data are means ± SE. The letters a, b and c indicate significant differences among control, overexpression and gene-silenced protoplasts (ANOVA analysis; n = 4; *P ≤ 0.05)