ZmMYB104 Enhances Heat‐Stress Tolerance by Activating ZmCAT2 Expression in Maize

) scavenging capacity under heat stress, effectively reducing reactive oxygen species accumulation and oxidative damage. These findings demonstrate that ZmMYB104 confers thermotolerance through direct transcriptional activation of the catalase gene ZmCAT2, which encodes a key enzyme in ROS detoxification. Our data provide the first evidence for a ZmMYB104-ZmCAT2 regulatory module that functions in plant heat-stress responses, advancing our understanding of the transcriptional networks that govern thermotolerance in cereal crops. The ZmMYB104-ZmCAT2 axis represents a promising genetic target for the development of climate-resilient maize varieties through molecular breeding strategies.