• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.332-340
• /
• 2016

Seed size traits are controlled by multiple genes in crops and determine grain yield, quality and appearance. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling the size of plant seeds remain unclear. We performed functional analysis of BrPATL4 encoding Sec14-like protein to determine the genetic architecture of seed size, shape and their association analyses. We used 60 $T_3$ transgenic rice lines to evaluate seed length, seed width and seed height as seed size traits, and the ratios of these values as seed shape traits. Pleiotropic effects on general architecture included small seed size, erect panicles, decreased grain weight, reduced plant height and increased sterility, which are common to other mutants deficient in gibberellic acid (GA) biosynthesis. To test whether BrPATL4 overexpression is deleterious for GA signal transduction, we compared the relative expression of GA related gene and the growth rate of second leaf sheath supplied with exogenous $GA_3$. Overexpression of BrPATL4 did not affect GA biosynthesis or signaling pathway, with the same response shown under GA treatment compared to the wild type. However, the causal genes for the small seed phenotype (D1, SRS1, and SRS5) and the erection of panicles showed significantly decreased levels in mRNA accumulation compared to the wild type. These results suggest that the overexpression of BrPATL4 can control seed size through the suppression of those genes related to seed size regulation. Although the molecular function of BrPATL4 is not clear for small seed and erect panicles of BrPALT4 overexpression line, this study provides some clues about the genetic engineering of rice seed architecture.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.30 no.10
• /
• pp.844-850
• /
• 2020

Disaster-related extreme weather is rapidly increasing due to climate change. In Korea, typhoons accompanied by rainfall usually approach in August and September, causing great damage. The purpose of this study is to find a gene that regulates the heading date of rice in order to avoid loss of harvest from climate change and typhoons. Cheongcheong/Nagdong doubled haploid (CNDH) was used as the plant material to investigate the location of heading-related genes using QTL and sequence analysis by cloning the gene. In the distribution chart, the heading dates, culm lengths, panicle lengths, numbers of panicles, and 1,000-grain weights all have normal distributions. QTL analysis found 13 contigs on chromosome 8. One QTL, named qHd8, was detected on chromosome 8. The range at qHd8 was approximately 7.7 cM, with RM72 and RM404 markers near the peak. There were 13 contigs and 1 ORF. Protein sequence analysis showed that rice was similar to Os08g0341700, AtSFH13, and AtSFH7 proteins. Os08g0341700, which is involved in signal transduction, is similar to phosphatidylinositol transfer-like protein II, and complete information is not available, but it is believed to play a role in the phosphatidylinositol-specific signaling pathway related to Sec14P.