Identification and fine mapping of a mutant gene for palealess spikelet in rice

In grass, the evolutionary relationship between lemma and palea, and their relationship to the flower organs in dicots have been variously interpreted and wildely debated. In the present study, we carried out morphological and genetic analysis of a palealess mutant (pal) from rice (Oryza sativa L.), and fine mapping the gene responsible for the mutated trait. Together, our findings indicate that the palea is replaced by two leaf-like structures in the pal flowers, and this trait is controlled by one recessive gene, termed palealess1 (pal1). With a large F2 segregating population, the pal1 gene was finally mapped into a physical region of 35 kb. Our results also suggest that the lemma and palea of rice are not homologous organs, palea is likely evolutionarily equivalent to the eudicot sepal, and the pal1 should be an A function gene for rice floral organ identity.     

Molecular mapping of split rice spikelet mutant srs-1 and analysis of its homeotic function in rice

srs-1, a new floral organ identity gene in rice, was mapped using RAPD and RFLP markers. Firstly, the cross was made between "ZhaiYeQing 8" (ZYQ8, indica) and split rice spikelet (SRS, japonica) mutant. The ratio of wild-type individuals and mutant plants in F2 population is 3:1, which indicates that the mutant characteristics are controlled by single recessive gene, srs-1. Consequently, BSA method was adopted and 520 random 10-mer primers were used to screen polymorphic bands between two bulks. Six primers could amplify polymorphic bands, of which S465 generates the most stable RAPD patterns. Then, S465 that cosegregates in F2 population has been converted into an RFLP marker successfully. Furthermore, srs-1 gene was mapped on chromosome 3 using DH mapping population. The effect of srs-1 gene results in the mutant of split rice spikelet. The mutant has longer and softer palea/lemma than those of wild-type, and two small palea/lemma-like organs between palea and lemma. In addition, there is a flower with three stamens and carpel in the axil of lemma. Thus, there are nine stamens and two carpels in the spikelet of mutant. srs-1 gene may belong to homeotic gene of class A according to the mutant characteristics and ABC model.     

水稻幼穗-颖花发育的研究进展

水稻是世界上最重要的粮食作物之一,也是单子叶植物发育生物学研究的理想模式植物,水稻幼穗和颖花的发育还是最终产量赖以依托的基础。对水稻幼穗和颖花发育的研究已成为植物分子遗传学和作物科学共同的研究焦点。近年来,有关水稻幼穗和颖花发育的研究取得了长足的进展,本文对幼穗和颖花的发育过程、栽培措施和环境因子对幼穗和颖花发育的影响以及幼穗和颖花发育的相关基因等方面的国内外进展进行了综述,同时指出了目前研究中存在的问题及相应的研究对策。     

Characterization of a novel high-tillering dwarf 3 mutant in rice

Tiller number and culm length are important components of plant architecture and determinate grain production in rice.A line SIL046,derived from an introgression lines population developed by an accession of common wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.) and a high-yielding indica cultivar Guichao 2 (Oryza sativa L.).exhibits a higher tiller number and shorter culm length phenotype than the recipient parent Guichao 2 (GC2).Genetic analysis showed that the high-tillering dwarf phenotype was controlled by a novel single recessive gene,referred to as the high-tillering dwarf3 (htd3),which located within the genetic distance of 13.4 cM between SSR makers RM7003 and RM277 on chromosome 12.By means of fine-mapping strategy,we mapped HTD3 gene within the genetic distance of 2.5 cM and the physical distance of 3100 kb in the centromere of chromosome 12.Further identification of HTD3 gene would provide a new opportunity to uncover the molecular mechanism of the development of culm and tiller,two important components of yields in rice.     

Characterization and mapping of a male-sterility mutant, tapetum desquamation (t), in rice.

A spontaneously mutated male-sterile material was found among the offspring of the indica restorer line Jinhuiyihao. To understand the status and function of the related gene and clone the gene, a near-isogenic line (NIL) of the male sterility was bred, and characterization of the mutant and gene mapping were performed. The results indicated that there are obvious differences between the male-sterile NIL and the indica maintainer line II-32B. The anther size of the NIL is smaller than that of II-32B, and the anther color is white in the NIL but yellow in II-32B. No pollen from the matured anther in the NIL was observed to be stained using KI-I2 solution. In transverse sections of the sterile anther, at early microspore stage the cytoplasm of the tapetum concentrates but the tapetum itself does not degenerate after microspores are released from the tetrads; the tapetum then desquamates from the anther wall and enwraps microspores; subsequently, the surrounded microspores collapse completely at late microspore and early bicellular pollen stages. Inheritance analysis showed that the male sterility was controlled by a single recessive gene, ostd (t). This gene was mapped between the SSR markers RM7434 and RM275 on chromosome 6, and the physical distance from RM7434 to RM275 is about 389 kb.     

Brassinosteroids function in spikelet differentiation and degeneration in rice

Brassinosteroids(BRs) play crucial roles in many aspects of plant development. However, their function in spikelet differentiation and degeneration in rice(Oryza sativa L.) remains unclear. Here, we investigated the roles of these phytohormones in spikelet development in fieldgrown rice subjected to five different nitrogen(N)fertilization treatments during panicle differentiation. BR levels and expression of genes involved in BR biosynthesis and signal transduction were measured in spikelets. Pollen fertility and the number of differentiated spikelets were closely associated with 24-epicastasterone(24-epiCS) and28-homobrassinolide(28-homoBL) levels in spikelets.Enhanced BR biosynthesis and signal transduction, in response to N treatment, enhanced spikelet differentiation, reduced spikelet degeneration, and increased grain yield. Increases in proton-pumping ATPase activity, ATPconcentration, energy charge, and antioxidant system(AOS) levels were consistent with 24-epiCS and28-homoBL concentrations. Exogenous application of24-epiCS or 28-homoBL on young panicles induced a marked increase in endogenous 24-epiCS or 28-homoBL levels, energy charge, AOS levels, spikelet differentiation, and panicle weight. The opposite effects were observed following treatment with a BR biosynthesis inhibitor. Our findings indicate that, in rice, BRs mediate the effects of N fertilization on spikelet development and play a role in promoting spikelet development through increasing AOS levels and energy charge during panicle development.     

一个新的水稻叶绿素缺失黄叶突变体的特征及基因分子定位

从粳稻“嘉花1号”⁶⁰Coγ射线辐照的后代中筛选到一个叶绿素缺失黄叶突变体(yl11), 与野生型“嘉花1号”相比该突变体表现为全生育期植株叶片呈黄色, 叶绿素含量以及净光合速率明显下降, 叶绿体发育不完善, 并且伴随着株高等主要农艺性状的变化。遗传分析表明, 该突变性状受一对隐性核基因(yl11)控制。该突变体与籼稻“培矮64S”杂交生产的F₂、F₃群体中的分离出突变体型920个单株作为定位群体, 利用SSR和InDel分子标记将yl11基因定位在水稻第11染色体长臂上的MM2199和ID21039分子标记之间, 其物理距离约为110 kb, 目前该区域内没有发现与水稻叶绿素合成/叶绿体发育相关已知功能基因。研究结果为今后对该基因的克隆和功能分析奠定了基础。     

一个新的水稻叶绿素缺失黄叶突变体的特征及基因分子定位

从粳稻"嘉花1号"60Coγ射线辐照的后代中筛选到一个叶绿素缺失黄叶突变体(yl11),与野生型"嘉花1号"相比该突变体表现为全生育期植株叶片呈黄色,叶绿素含量以及净光合速率明显下降,叶绿体发育不完善,并且伴随着株高等主要农艺性状的变化。遗传分析表明,该突变性状受一对隐性核基因(yl11)控制。该突变体与籼稻"培矮64S"杂交生产的F2、F3群体中的分离出突变体型920个单株作为定位群体,利用SSR和InDel分子标记将yl11基因定位在水稻第11染色体长臂上的MM2199和ID21039分子标记之间,其物理距离约为110kb,目前该区域内没有发现与水稻叶绿素合成/叶绿体发育相关已知功能基因。研究结果为今后对该基因的克隆和功能分析奠定了基础。     

Induction of pollen plantlets in rice by spikelet culture

Induction of pollen callus and subsequent regeneration of plantlets from the callus have been achieved from rice spikelets cultured in a liquid medium containing sucrose, -naphthalene-acetic acid and kinetin. When spikelets are cultured in a medium containing 6% sucrose, calluses are released into the medium where they continue to increase in size without undergoing organogenesis. On the other hand, in a medium containing 2% sucrose, calluses are retained within the anther locule where they differentiate into plantlets. Cytological studies have shown that calluses have their origin either in the vegetative cell of asymmetrically dividing pollen grains or in both cells of pollen grains which divide more or less equally.     

Alternative pathways in grass spikelet development

To the casual observer, one grass inflorescence looks very much like another and yet the family has diverged to nearly 800 genera and almost 10 000 species; is distributed worldwide and has become the centrepiece of agriculture. Such predominance can, in part, be explained by the subtlety with which spikelet operates since there is an elaborate interplay between the physiology of the spikelet and the immense reproductive versatility of the Poaceae.Physiological studies have centred on maize, wheat, rice and to a lesser extent, barley and sorghum. A grass taxonomist can readily demonstrate that maize, wheat and barley are relatively atypical grasses. Less familiar genera are able to provide the physiologist with problems that are unusual and stimulating.From such a viewpoint, the physiological problems presented by the spikelets of such genera as Cenchrus, Eragrostis, Phragmites, and Rottboellia will be examined.     

High temperature stress and spikelet fertility in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

In future climates, greater heat tolerance at anthesis will be required in rice. The effect of high temperature at anthesis on spikelet fertility was studied on IR64 (lowland indica) and Azucena (upland japonica) at 29.6 degrees C (control), 33.7 degrees C, and 36.2 degrees C tissue temperatures. The objectives of the study were to: (i) determine the effect of temperature on flowering pattern; (ii) examine the effect of time of day of spikelet anthesis relative to a high temperature episode on spikelet fertility; and (iii) study the interactions between duration of exposure and temperature on spikelet fertility. Plants were grown at 30/24 degrees C day/night temperature in a greenhouse and transferred to growth cabinets for the temperature treatments. Individual spikelets were marked with paint to relate fertility to the time of exposure to different temperatures and durations. In both genotypes the pattern of flowering was similar, and peak anthesis occurred between 10.30 h and 11.30 h at 29.2 degrees C, and about 45 min earlier at 36.2 degrees C. In IR64, high temperature increased the number of spikelets reaching anthesis, whereas in Azucena numbers were reduced. In both genotypesor=33.7 degrees C at anthesis caused sterility. In IR64, there was no interaction between temperature and duration of exposure, and spikelet fertility was reduced by about 7% per degrees C>29.6 degrees C. In Azucena there was a significant interaction and spikelet fertility was reduced by 2.4% degrees Cd-1 above a threshold of 33 degrees C. Marking individual spikelets is an effective method to phenotype genotypes and lines for heat tolerance that removes any apparent tolerance due to temporal escape.     

A putative lipase gene EXTRA GLUME1 regulates both empty-glume fate and spikelet development in rice

Recent studies have shown that molecular control of inner floral organ identity appears to be largely conserved between monocots and dicots, but little is known regarding the molecular mechanism underlying development of the monocot outer floral organ, a unique floral structure in grasses. In this study, we report the cloning of the rice EXTRA GLUME1 ( EG1 ) gene, a putative lipase gene that specifies empty-glume fate and floral meristem determinacy. In addition to affecting the identity and number of empty glumes, mutations in EG1 caused ectopic floral organs to be formed at each organ whorl or in extra ectopic whorls. Iterative glume-like structures or new floral organ primordia were formed in the presumptive region of the carpel, resulting in an indeterminate floral meristem. EG1 is expressed strongly in inflorescence primordia and weakly in developing floral primordia. We also found that the floral meristem and organ identity gene OsLHS1 showed altered expression with respect to both pattern and levels in the eg1 mutant, and is probably responsible for the pleiotropic floral defects in eg1 . As a putative class III lipase that functionally differs from any known plant lipase, EG1 reveals a novel pathway that regulates rice empty-glume fate and spikelet development.     

Low cadmium (LCD), a novel gene related to cadmium tolerance and accumulation in rice

The contamination of food crops by cadmium (Cd) is a major concern in food production because it can reduce crop yields and threaten human health. In this study, knockout rice plants (Oryza sativa) tagged with the gene trap vector pGA2707 were screened for Cd tolerance, and the tolerant line lcd was obtained. The lcd mutant showed tolerance to Cd on agar plates and in hydroponic culture during early plant development. Metal concentration measurements in hydroponically grown plants revealed significantly less Cd in the shoots of lcd plants compared with wild-type (WT) shoots. When cultured in the field in soil artificially contaminated with low levels of Cd, lcd showed no significant difference in the Cd content of its leaf blades; however, the Cd concentration in the grains was 55% lower in 2009 and 43% lower in 2010. There were no significant differences in plant dry weight or seed yield between lcd and wild-type plants. LCD, a novel gene, is not homologous to any other known gene. LCD localized to the cytoplasm and nucleus, and was expressed mainly in the vascular tissues in the roots and phloem companion cells in the leaves. These data indicate that lcd may be useful for understanding Cd transport mechanisms and is a promising candidate rice line for use in combating the threat of Cd to human health.     

Overexpression of the JAZ factors with mutated jas domains causes pleiotropic defects in rice spikelet development

In a determinate meristem, such as a floral meristem, a genetically determined number of organs are produced before the meristem is terminated. In rice, iterative formation of organs during flower development with defects in meristem determinacy, classically called ‘proliferation’, is caused by several mutations and observed in dependence on environmental conditions. Here we report that overexpression of several JAZ proteins, key factors in jasmonate signaling, with mutations in the Jas domains causes an increase in the numbers of organs in florets, aberrant patterns of organ formation and repetitious organ production in spikelets. Our results imply that JAZ factors modulate mechanisms that regulate meristem functions during spikelet development.     

一个新的水稻小穗梗弯曲突变体的形态特征及基因定位

稻穗小穗梗的发育与产量有着密切关系。文章利用⁶⁰Co g 射线辐照籼稻品种“浙农7号”, 获得一个性状能稳定遗传的小穗梗弯曲突变体bpb1 (bent pedicel branch 1), 表现为小穗梗弯曲, 并伴有小穗梗长度增长、穗长缩短和植株矮化等特点。扫描电镜观察显示, bpb1突变体小穗梗的表皮毛及气孔变小, 外表皮细胞和厚壁细胞排列不规则, 接近弯曲部位的细胞变小、排列更为紧密。bpb1突变体小穗梗横切面观察表明, 小维管束排列结构发生明显变化。遗传分析表明该突变表型受隐性单基因控制。利用bpb1突变体与粳稻品种“浙农大104”杂交构建的F₂群体进行基因定位, 将bpb1基因定位于水稻第7号染色体长臂SSR标记RM21537和RM21552之间, 该区间的物理距离为343 kb, 该区域内未发现与水稻小穗梗发育相关的已知基因。文章为bpb1基因的克隆和功能研究奠定了重要基础。     

Characterization and mapping of a novel mutant sms1 （senescence and male sterility 1） in rice

Plant senescence plays diverse important roles in development and environmental responses.However,the molecular basis of plant senescence is remained largely unknown.A rice spontaneous mutant with the character of early senescence and male sterility (sms) was found in the breeding line NT10-748.In order to identify the gene SMS1 and the underlying mechanism,we preliminarily analyzed physiological and biochemical phenotypes of the mutant.The mutant contained lower chlorophyll content compared with the wild type control and was severe male sterile with lower pollen viability.Genetic analysis showed that the mutant was controlled by a single recessive gene.By the map-based cloning approach,we fine-mapped SMS1 to a 67 kb region between the markers Z3-4 and Z1-1 on chromosome 8 using 1,074 F2 recessive plants derived from the cross between the mutant sms1 (japonica) × Zhenshan 97 (indica),where no known gene involved in senescence or male sterility has been identified.Therefore the SMS1 gene will be a novel gene that regulates the two developmental processes.The further cloning and functional analysis of the SMS1 gene is under way.     

Characterization and mapping of a novel mutant sms1 (senescence and male sterility 1) in rice

Plant senescence plays diverse important roles in development and environmental responses.However,the molecular basis of plant senescence is remained largely unknown.A rice spontaneous mutant with the character of early senescence and male sterility (sms) was found in the breeding line NT10-748.In order to identify the gene SMS1 and the underlying mechanism,we preliminarily analyzed physiological and biochemical phenotypes of the mutant.The mutant contained lower chlorophyll content compared with the wild t...     

Association mapping of stigma and spikelet characteristics in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Stigma and spikelet characteristics play an essential role in hybrid seed production. A mini-core of 90 accessions developed from USDA rice core collection was phenotyped in field grown for nine traits of stigma and spikelet and genotyped with 109 DNA markers, 108 SSRs plus an indel. Three major clusters were built upon Rogers’ genetic distance, indicative of indicas, and temperate and tropical japonicas. A mixed linear model combining PC-matrix and K-matrix was adapted for mapping marker-trait associations. Resulting associations were adjusted using false discovery rate technique. We identified 34 marker-trait associations involving 22 SSR markers for eight traits. Four markers were associated with single stigma exsertion (SStgE), six with dual exsertion (DStgE) and five with total exsertion. RM5_Chr1 played major role indicative of high regression with not only DStgE but also SStgE. Four markers were associated with spikelet length, three with width and seven with L/W ratio. Numerous markers were co-associated with multiple traits that were phenotypically correlated, i.e. RM12521_Chr2 associated with all three correlated spikelet traits. The co-association should improve breeding efficiency because single marker could be used to assist breeding for multiple traits. Indica entry 1032 (cultivar 50638) and japonica entry 671 (cultivar Linia 84 Icar) with 80.65 and 75.17% of TStgE, respectively are recommended to breeder for improving stigma exsertion.