A gain-of-function mutation of OsMAPK6 leads to long grain in rice

Grain size is one of the most important agronomic traits controlling grain yield. Development of novel germplasm with large grains would be beneficial for crop improvement. We report the genetic identification and functional analysis of the LONG GRAIN 6(LOG6) gene, which is identical to MITOGENACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE 6(OsMAPK6), affecting grain length of rice. Map-based cloning revealed that the long-grain phenotype of log6-D results from a glutamine(E) to lysine(K) mutation in the conserved TEY motif of OsMAPK6. In near-isogenic lines(NILs), the log6-D allele increased grain length and grain yield of Guichao 2(GC2), Teqing(TQ), and 93–11. Sequence analysis revealed 10 OsMAPK6 haplotypes,with xian(indica) and geng(japonica) harboring different haplotypes. Our findings shed light on the function of MAPKs and offer a novel dominant allele for improving the grain yield of rice.

GS6, A Member of the GRAS Gene Family,Negatively Regulates Grain Size in Rice

Grain size is an important yield-related trait in rice. Intensive artificial selection for grain size during domestication is evidenced by the larger grains of most of today＇s cultivars compared with their wild relatives. However, the molecular genetic control of rice grain size is still not well characterized. Here, we report the identification and cloning of Grain Size 6 （GS6）, which plays an important role in reducing grain size in rice. A premature stop at the ＋348 position in the coding sequence （CDS） of GS6 increased grain width and weight significantly. Alignment of the CDS regions of GS6 in 90 rice materials revealed three GS6 alleles. Most japonica varieties （95%） harbor the Type I haplotype, and 62.9% of indica varieties harbor the Type II haplotype. Association analysis revealed that the Type I haplotype tends to increase the width and weight of grains more than either of the Type II or Type III haplotypes. Further investigation of genetic diversity and the evolutionary mechanisms of GS6 showed that the GS6 gene was strongly selected in japonica cultivars. In addition, a ＂ggc＂ repeat region identified in the region that encodes the GRAS domain of GS6 played an important historic role in the domestication of grain size in rice. Knowledge of the function of GS6 might aid efforts to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that control grain development and evolution in rice plants, and could facilitate the genetic improvement of rice yield.

Natural Variations at TIG1 Encoding a TCP Tran scription Factor Contribute to Plant Architecture Domestication in Rice

The modification of plant architecture is a crucial target in rice domestication and modern genetic improvement.Although several genes regulating rice plant architecture have been characterized,the molecular mechanisms underlying rice plant architecture domestication remain largely unclear.Here we show that the inclined tiller growth in wild rice is controlled by a single dominant gene,TILLER INCLINED GROWTH 1 (T/Gf),which is located on chromosome 8 and encodes a TCP transcriptional activator.TIG1 is primarily expressed in the adaxial side of the tiller base,promotes cell elongation,and enlarges the tiller angle in wild rice.Variations in the TIG1 promoter of indica cultivars {tig1 allele) resulted in decreased expression of TIG1 in the adaxial side of tiller base and reduced cell length and tiller angle,leading to the transition from inclined tiller growth in wild rice to erect tiller growth during rice domestication.TIG1 positively regulates the expression of EXP A3,EXPB5,and SAUR39 to promote cell elongation and increase the tiller angle.Selective sweep analysis revealed that the tig1 allele was selected in indica cultivars by human beings.The cloning and characterization of TIG1 supports a new scenario of plant architecture evolution in rice.

LHD1,an Allele of DTH8/Ghd8,Controls Late Heading Date in Common Wild Rice (Oryza rufipogon)

Flowering at suitable time is very important for plants to adapt to complicated environments and produce their seeds successfully for reproduction. In rice （Oryza rufipogon Griff.） photoperiod regulation is one of the important factors for controlling heading date. Common wild rice, the ancestor of cultivated rice, exhibits a late heading date and a more sensitive photoperiodic response than cultivated rice. Here, through map-based cloning, we identified a major quantitative trait loci （QTL） LHD1 （Late Heading Date 1）, an allele of DTH8/Ghd8, which controls the late heading date of wild rice and encodes a putative HAP3/NF-YB/CBF-A subunit of the CCAAT-box-binding transcription factor. Sequence analysis revealed that several variants in the coding region of LHD1 were correlated with a late heading date, and a further complementary study successfully rescued the phenotype. These results suggest that a functional site for LHD1 could be among those variants present in the coding region. We also found that LHD1 could down-regulate the expression of several floral transition activators such as Ehdl, Hd3a and RFT1 under long-day conditions, but not under short-day conditions. This indicates that LHD1 may delay flowering by repressing the expression of Ehdl, Hd3a and RFT1 under long-day conditions.

RLS3, a protein with AAA+ domain localized in chloroplast, sustains leaf longevity in rice

Leaf senescence plays an important role in crop developmental processes that dramatically affect crop yield and grain quality. The genetic regulation of leaf senescence is complex, involving many metabolic and signaling pathways. Here, we identified a rapid leaf senescence 3 （rls3） mutant that displayed accelerated leaf senescence, shorter plant height and panicle length, and lower seed set rate than the wild type. Map-based cloning revealed that RLS3 encodes a protein with AAA＋ domain, localizing it to chloroplasts. Sequence analysis found that the rls3 8ene had a single-nucleotide substitution （G--~A） at the splice site of the Ioth intron/11th exon, resulting in the cleavage of the first nucleotide in 11th exon and premature termination of P, LS3 protein translation. Using transmission electron microscope, the chloroplasts of the rls3 mutant were observed to degrade much faster than those of the wild type. The investigation of the leaf senescence process under dark incubation conditions further revealed that the rls3 mutant displayed rapid leaf senescence. Thus, the RLS3 gene plays key roles in sustaining the normal growth of rice, while loss of function in RLS3 leads to rapid leaf senescence. The identification of RLS3 will be helpful to elucidate the mechanisms involved in leaf senescence in rice.