Polymorphic proteins in rice seed embryo revealed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and their application for subspecies identification

Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed 10 polymorphic proteins in seed embryos of 29 cultivated rices (Oryza sativa L.) including 16 japonica cultivars, three so-called ‘Javanica’ ones and 10 indica ones. We attempted to use these polymorphic proteins to identify rice subspecies by scoring the polymorphisms. Since all japonica cultivars examined showed the same pattern of protein spots, we considered it to be a standard one with a score of zero, and the protein polymorphisms of other cultivars were given scores of 0.0, 0.5 or 1.0 according to spot density. This scoring method gave characteristic scores for indica and ‘Javanica’ cultivars, i.e. typical japonica cultivars selected as standards presumed the score of 0.0 whereas ‘Javanica’ cultivars and indica ones had the scores of 2.5–4.0 and of 5.0–8.0, respectively. By using this scoring method and the subspecies-specific proteins previously reported, 19 cultivars of unknown subspecies were classified as three indica cultivars and 16 japonica ones including four so-called ‘Javanica’ ones. This scoring method also detected a difference between the perennial wild rice Oryza rufipogon and the annual one O. nivara at the protein level.     

根际微生物促进水稻氮利用的机制

根际微生物影响植物的生长及环境适应性。不同种属、不同种群的植物影响其环境微生物群落;反之,根际微生物也影响宿主植物生长发育与生态适应性。植物与根际微生物的互作现象及其机制,是生命科学研究关注的热点,也是农业微生物利用的关键问题。近期,中国科学家在该领域取得了突破性进展。通过对不同籼稻(Oryza sativa subsp. indica)和粳稻(O. sativa subsp. japonica)品种的根际微生物组进行研究,发现籼稻根际比粳稻根际富集更多参与氮代谢的微生物群落,且该现象与硝酸盐转运蛋白基因NRT1.1B在籼粳之间的自然变异相关联。通过对籼稻接种籼稻根际特异富集的微生物群体可以提高前者对有机氮的利用,促进其生长。该研究揭示了籼稻和粳稻根际微生物分化的分子基础,展示了利用根际微生物提高水稻营养高效吸收的应用前景。     

根际微生物促进水稻氮利用的机制

根际微生物影响植物的生长及环境适应性。不同种属、不同种群的植物影响其环境微生物群落; 反之, 根际微生物也影响宿主植物生长发育与生态适应性。植物与根际微生物的互作现象及其机制, 是生命科学研究关注的热点, 也是农业微生物利用的关键问题。近期, 中国科学家在该领域取得了突破性进展。通过对不同籼稻(Oryza sativa subsp. indica)和粳稻(O. sativa subsp. japonica)品种的根际微生物组进行研究, 发现籼稻根际比粳稻根际富集更多参与氮代谢的微生物群落, 且该现象与硝酸盐转运蛋白基因NRT1.1B在籼粳之间的自然变异相关联。通过对籼稻接种籼稻根际特异富集的微生物群体可以提高前者对有机氮的利用, 促进其生长。该研究揭示了籼稻和粳稻根际微生物分化的分子基础, 展示了利用根际微生物提高水稻营养高效吸收的应用前景。     

水稻穗长基因PAL3的克隆及自然变异分析

穗型是决定水稻(Oryza sativa)产量的关键因素之一。我们从粳稻品种圣稻808 (SD808)的EMS诱变突变体库中发现4份短穗突变体,这些突变体的穗长、一级枝梗数、二级枝梗数和穗粒数发生不同程度的降低。基因定位和图位克隆表明,这些突变体的表型受同一基因控制,将该基因命名为PAL3 (PANICLE LENGT...     

利用低温水浴鉴定水稻苗期耐寒性

高效准确鉴定苗期耐寒性是水稻(Oryza sativa)耐寒研究的前提。基于流动水浴温度均一这一特性, 建立了一种恒温水浴鉴定水稻幼苗耐寒性方法。该方法中环境温度设定为20°C, 水浴温度设定为4°C。根据对2个水稻亚种不同材料的处理结果, 总结出几种常见品种的低温处理时间与存活率参考值, 并对操作过程中的一些注意事项进行了说明。     

利用低温水浴鉴定水稻苗期耐寒性

高效准确鉴定苗期耐寒性是水稻(Oryza sativa)耐寒研究的前提。基于流动水浴温度均一这一特性, 建立了一种恒温水浴鉴定水稻幼苗耐寒性方法。该方法中环境温度设定为20°C, 水浴温度设定为4°C。根据对2个水稻亚种不同材料的处理结果, 总结出几种常见品种的低温处理时间与存活率参考值, 并对操作过程中的一些注意事项进行了说明。     

水稻锌铁转运蛋白ZIP基因家族研究进展

锌(zinc, Zn)和铁(iron, Fe)是水稻(Oryza sativa L.)生长必需的矿质元素,也是人体必需的微量元素。水稻体内Zn、Fe含量维持在适宜水平有利于提高其产量和品质,提高稻米中Zn、Fe含量能够在一定程度上解决人体Zn、Fe营养缺乏的问题。因此,研究水稻中Zn和Fe等微量元素转运蛋白的具体功能对于提高水稻产量和稻米品质具有重要意义。锌铁转运蛋白(zinc-regulated transporters and iron-regulated transporter-like protein, ZIP)负责Zn和Fe等离子的吸收、转运和分配,是维持水稻中Zn和Fe平衡的重要转运蛋白,其表达水平受Zn和Fe水平影响。ZIP基因家族在自然群体中具有丰富的等位变异,而且某些单倍型存在明显的籼粳分化,这可能造成了不同品种间籼、粳稻中Zn和Fe积累的差异。目前,已有大量关于ZIP基因家族的研究,但只有OsZIP3的作用机制研究的较为清楚。另外,对Zn、Fe在籽粒中的积累机制研究和自然群体中ZIP基因的等位变异研究还不够深入。因此,ZIP转运蛋白家族仍存在较大的研究空间。本文详细介绍了ZIP转运蛋白在水稻体内的亚细胞定位、表达模式、转运机制以及在自然群体中的等位变异等,以期为研究水稻稻米微量元素的积累提供理论基础,为提高稻米品质提供借鉴。     

水稻散状穗突变体sp的遗传分析及基因初定位

水稻(Oryza sativa)是我国最主要的粮食作物之一, 其穗部形态直接影响着水稻产量和稻米品质。在秋光和七山占构建的重组自交系群体中发现了1个散穗突变体材料sp (spreading panicle), 田间表现为穗部一次枝梗向外延伸, 与穗轴夹角增大, 且向四周散开, 故暂命名为散穗突变体sp。与野生型相比, 突变体sp穗重、每穗粒重、千粒重、粒宽以及粒厚均极显著减少, 推测SP可能是1个参与调控穗部形态建成和颖花发育的基因。遗传分析表明, 该性状受1个显性核基因控制。利用sp与02428构建的F₂群体进行基因定位, 将该基因定位在4号染色体长臂端, 位于E3和RM17578之间的62.9 kb区域内。该结果将为SP基因的图位克隆和揭示其作用机理奠定基础。     

Ribonuclease H-like gene SMALL GRAIN2 regulates grain size in rice through brassinosteroid signaling pathway

Grain size is a key agronomic trait that determines the yield in plants. Regulation of grain size by brassinosteroids (BRs) in rice has been widely reported. However, the relationship between the BR signaling pathway and grain size still requires further study. Here, we isolated a rice mutant, named small grain2 (sg2), which displayed smaller grain and a semi-dwarf phenotype. The decreased grain size was caused by repressed cell expansion in spikelet hulls of the sg2 mutant. Using map-based cloning combined with a MutMap approach, we cloned SG2, which encodes a plant-specific protein with a ribonuclease H-like domain. SG2 is a positive regulator downstream of GLYCOGEN SYNTHASE KINASE2 (GSK2) in response to BR signaling, and its mutation causes insensitivity to exogenous BR treatment. Genetical and biochemical analysis showed that GSK2 interacts with and phosphorylates SG2. We further found that BRs enhance the accumulation of SG2 in the nucleus, and subcellular distribution of SG2 is regulated by GSK2 kinase activity. In addition, Oryza sativa OVATE family protein 19 (OsOFP19), a negative regulator of grain shape, interacts with SG2 and plays an antagonistic role with SG2 in controlling gene expression and grain size. Our results indicated that SG2 is a new component of GSK2-related BR signaling response and regulates grain size by interacting with OsOFP19.     

水稻核不育系4个柱头性状的遗传分析

为改良水稻(Oryza sativa)核不育系柱头性状提供遗传信息, 调查了粳型核不育系7001S、籼型核不育系Z913S及其杂交、自交获得的F₁、F₂和F_2:3群体的4个柱头性状, 分析了4个性状间的相关性, 并利用主基因+多基因遗传模型对2个世代4个性状进行遗传分析。结果表明, 4个性状两两间呈极显著正相关, 相关系数介于0.274-0.897之间。除F_2:3群体中花柱长度和柱头外露率分别表现出受2对加性-显性主基因和1对负等效加性-显性主基因+多基因控制外, F₂和F_2:3群体的柱头长度、花柱长度、柱头-花柱总长度以及柱头外露率均表现出受2对主基因和多基因控制, 且F_2:3群体中控制花柱长度的主基因表现出加性-显性效应, 其余均表现出加性-显性-上位性效应。2个世代中4个性状均以主基因遗传为主。     

A rare Waxy allele coordinately improves rice eating and cooking quality and grain transparency

In rice (Oryza sativa), amylose content (AC) is the major factor that determines eating and cooking quality (ECQ). The diversity in AC is largely attributed to natural allelic variation at the Waxy (Wx) locus. Here we identified a rare Wx allele, Wx^mw, which combines a favorable AC, improved ECQ and grain transparency. Based on a phylogenetic analysis of Wx genomic sequences from 370 rice accessions, we speculated that Wx^mw may have derived from recombination between two important natural Wx alleles, Wxⁱⁿ and Wx^b. We validated the effects of Wx^mw on rice grain quality using both transgenic lines and near‐isogenic lines (NILs). When introgressed into the japonica Nipponbare (NIP) background, Wx^mw resulted in a moderate AC that was intermediate between that of NILs carrying the Wx^b allele and NILs with the Wx^mp allele. Notably, mature grains of NILs fixed for Wx^mw had an improved transparent endosperm relative to soft rice. Further, we introduced Wx^mw into a high‐yielding japonica cultivar via molecular marker‐assisted selection: the introgressed lines exhibited clear improvements in ECQ and endosperm transparency. Our results suggest that Wx^mw is a promising allele to improve grain quality, especially ECQ and grain transparency of high‐yielding japonica cultivars, in rice breeding programs.     

水稻条斑病抗性QTL的挖掘及相关基因的表达

条斑病是水稻(Oryza sativa)中的常见病害, 已经对我国粮食的高产稳产造成严重威胁。以典型籼稻台中本地1号与粳稻春江06的杂交F₁代花药培养双单倍体群体(DH)为材料, 用Xoc BLS256进行人工接菌, 对双亲及群体各株系的病斑长度进行测量和量化分析; 同时利用该群体业已构建的加密遗传图谱对病斑表型数据进行QTL作图分析。结果在水稻第2、4、5和8号染色体上共检测到4个效应值能区分开的QTL。对2号与5号染色体上2个较大的QTL区间内抗条斑病相关基因进行了表达分析, 结果表明这些基因在处理前后出现了不同程度的表达差异, 暗示这些基因可能是响应春江06与台中本地1号条斑病抗性差异的目标基因。研究结果为进一步克隆水稻条斑病抗性QTL奠定了重要基础。     

水稻籽粒维生素E QTL挖掘及候选基因分析

维生素E (V_E)是稻米营养品质的重要指标。水稻(Oryza sativa)是我国种植最广泛的粮食作物, 增加其籽粒的V_E含量是实现国民营养强化的一条便捷有效的途径。该研究以籼稻华占(HZ)为父本, 粳稻热研2号(Nekken2)为母本, 构建120个重组自交系(RILs)群体。采用高效液相色谱法(HPLC)对RILs群体的V_E各组分含量进行测定, 并基于构建的高密度分子遗传图谱进行QTL定位, 谱系分析后挖掘到122个V_E总量和分量相关QTLs, 分布在12条染色体上。其中qT3α/to2-1的LOD值高达10.32, qT3α2-1的LOD值高达9.91, 另有多个控制各异构体含量的主效QTLs, 且区间内包含OsGGR1、OsGGR2、OsTC及OsγTMT等V_E生物合成基因。通过qRT-PCR检测亲本中V_E合成基因的表达量, 发现在华占中候选基因的表达量均极显著高于热研2号, 推测这些基因的高表达是华占生育酚及生育三烯酚含量高于热研2号的原因。研究挖掘到的QTL数目较多, LOD值也较大, 为进一步筛选和培育高V_E含量的水稻新品种奠定了分子基础, 同时为揭示水稻V_E生物合成的分子调控机制提供了重要基因资源。     

OsCPL3 is involved in brassinosteroid signaling by regulating OsGSK2 stability

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) proteins play key roles in brassinosteroid (BR) signaling during plant growth and development by phosphorylating various substrates. However, how GSK3 protein stability and activity are themselves modulated is not well understood. Here, we demonstrate in vitro and in vivo that C-TERMINAL DOMAIN PHOSPHATASE-LIKE 3 (OsCPL3), a member of the RNA Pol II CTD phosphatase-like family, physically interacts with OsGSK2 in rice (Oryza sativa). OsCPL3 expression was widely detected in various tissues and organs including roots, leaves and lamina joints, and was induced by exogenous BR treatment. OsCPL3 localized to the nucleus, where it dephosphorylated OsGSK2 at the Ser-222 and Thr-284 residues to modulate its protein turnover and kinase activity, in turn affecting the degradation of BRASSINAZOLE-RESISTANT 1 (BZR1) and BR signaling. Loss of OsCPL3 function resulted in higher OsGSK2 abundance and lower OsBZR1 levels, leading to decreased BR responsiveness and alterations in plant morphology including semi-dwarfism, leaf erectness and grain size, which are of fundamental importance to crop productivity. These results reveal a previously unrecognized role for OsCPL3 and add another layer of complexity to the tightly controlled BR signaling pathway in plants.     

油菜素甾醇调控水稻盐胁迫应答的作用研究

油菜素甾醇(BR)作为植物内源激素, 广泛参与植物的生长发育过程及逆境应答。虽然BR调控生长发育的分子机制目前已相对清楚, 但在水稻(Oryza sativa)中, BR在逆境反应中的功能还鲜有报道。该研究系统分析了BR在高盐胁迫过程中的作用, 表明盐胁迫和逆境激素脱落酸可抑制BR合成基因D2和D11的表达, 典型的BR缺陷突变体(如d2-2和d61-1)则表现出对盐胁迫敏感性增强。此外, 通过对BR核心转录因子OsBZR1的过表达株系进行分析, 发现BR可显著诱导OsBZR1的去磷酸化, 盐胁迫对OsBZR1蛋白的积累水平和磷酸化状态均有调控作用。转录组数据分析表明, BR处理前后差异表达基因中有38.4%同时受到盐胁迫调控, 其中91.5%受到BR和高盐一致调控, 并显著富集在应激反应过程中。研究结果表明, BR正调控水稻的耐盐性, 而盐胁迫通过抑制BR合成来限制水稻的生长。     

Brassinosteroid signaling positively regulates abscisic acid biosynthesis in response to chilling stress in tomato

Brassinosteroids (BRs) and abscisic acid (ABA) are essential regulators of plant growth and stress tolerance. Although the antagonistic interaction of BRs and ABA is proposed to ensure the balance between growth and defense in model plants, the crosstalk between BRs and ABA in response to chilling in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), a warm-climate horticultural crop, is unclear. Here, we determined that overexpression of the BR biosynthesis gene DWARF (DWF) or the key BR signaling gene BRASSINAZOLE-RESISTANT1 (BZR1) increases ABA levels in response to chilling stress via positively regulating the expression of the ABA biosynthesis gene 9-CIS-EPOXYCAROTENOID DIOXYGENASE1 (NCED1). BR-induced chilling tolerance was mostly dependent on ABA biosynthesis. Chilling stress or high BR levels decreased the abundance of BRASSINOSTEROID-INSENSITIVE2 (BIN2), a negative regulator of BR signaling. Moreover, we observed that chilling stress increases BR levels and results in the accumulation of BZR1. BIN2 negatively regulated both the accumulation of BZR1 protein and chilling tolerance by suppressing ABA biosynthesis. Our results demonstrate that BR signaling positively regulates chilling tolerance via ABA biosynthesis in tomato. The study has implications in production of warm-climate crops in horticulture.     

中国科学家绘制籼稻高质量参考基因组序列图谱

2005年多国合作的国际水稻(Oryza sativa)基因组测序项目绘制了粳稻(O.sativa subsp.japonica)品种日本晴的参考基因组序列。最近,中国科学家发布了2个籼稻(O.sativa subsp.indica)品种(明恢63和珍汕97)的高质量参考基因组序列,为籼稻的功能基因组学研究和分子育种应用提供了便利。     

OsMKKK70 regulates grain size and leaf angle in rice through the OsMKK4-OsMAPK6-OsWRKY53 signaling pathway

Grain size and leaf angle are key agronomic traits that determine final yields in rice. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. Here we demonstrate that the Oryza sativa Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinase OsMKKK70 regulates grain size and leaf angle in rice. Overexpressing OsMKKK70 caused plants to produce longer seeds. The osmkkk62/70 double mutant and the osmkkk55/62/70 triple mutant displayed significantly smaller seeds and a more erect leaf angle compared to the wild type, indicating that OsMKKK70 functions redundantly with its homologs OsMKKK62 and OsMKKK55. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that OsMKKK70 is an active kinase and that OsMKKK70 interacts with OsMKK4 and promotes OsMAPK6 phosphorylation. In addition, the osmkkk62/70 double mutant showed reduced sensitivity to Brassinosteroids (BRs). Finally, overexpressing constitutively active OsMKK4, OsMAPK6, and OsWRKY53 can partially complement the smaller seed size, erect leaf, and BR hyposensitivity of the osmkkk62/70 double mutant. Taken together, these findings suggest that OsMKKK70 might regulate grain size and leaf angle in rice by activating OsMAPK6 and that OsMKKK70, OsMKK4, OsMAPK6, and OsWRKY53 function in a common signaling pathway that controls grain shape and leaf angle.