The LARGE2-APO1/APO2 regulatory module controls panicle size and grain number in rice
Open Access
- 2 February 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in THE PLANT CELL ONLINE
- Vol. 33 (4), 1212-1228
- https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koab041
Abstract
Panicle size and grain number are important agronomic traits and influence grain yield in rice (Oryza sativa), but the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying panicle size and grain number control remain largely unknown in crops. Here we report that LARGE2 encodes a HECT-domain E3 ubiquitin ligase OsUPL2 and regulates panicle size and grain number in rice. The loss of function large2 mutants produce large panicles with increased grain number, wide grains and leaves, and thick culms. LARGE2 regulates panicle size and grain number by repressing meristematic activity. LARGE2 is highly expressed in young panicles and grains. Biochemical analyses show that LARGE2 physically associates with ABERRANT PANICLE ORGANIZATION1 (APO1) and APO2, two positive regulators of panicle size and grain number, and modulates their stabilities. Genetic analyses support that LARGE2 functions with APO1 and APO2 in a common pathway to regulate panicle size and grain number. These findings reveal a novel genetic and molecular mechanism of the LARGE2-APO1/APO2 module-mediated control of panicle size and grain number in rice, suggesting that this module is a promising target for improving panicle size and grain number in crops.Keywords
Funding Information
- Ministry of Agriculture of China (2016ZX08009003-003)
- National Basic Research Program of China (2018YFD1000706-10, 2017YFD0100402, 2016YFD0100501, 2016YFD0100402)
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (91735302, 31771340, 31400249, 3187080209)
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics (SKLPG2011B0404)
- National Ten-Thousand Talents Program of China
- Youth Innovation Promotion Association (2019102)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDB27010102)
This publication has 57 references indexed in Scilit:
- Rice zinc finger protein DST enhances grain production through controlling Gn1a/OsCKX2 expressionProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2013
- Control of transposon activity by a histone H3K4 demethylase in riceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2013
- Genome sequencing reveals agronomically important loci in rice using MutMapNature Biotechnology, 2012
- Positive Autoregulation of aKNOXGene Is Essential for Shoot Apical Meristem Maintenance in RiceTHE PLANT CELL ONLINE, 2011
- New approach for rice improvement using a pleiotropic QTL gene for lodging resistance and yieldNature Communications, 2010
- Expression Level ofABERRANT PANICLE ORGANIZATION1Determines Rice Inflorescence Form through Control of Cell Proliferation in the MeristemPlant Physiology, 2009
- Patterning of Inflorescences and Flowers by the F-Box Protein DOUBLE TOP and the LEAFY Homolog ABERRANT LEAF AND FLOWER of PetuniaTHE PLANT CELL ONLINE, 2008
- Identifying and exploiting grain yield genes in riceCurrent Opinion in Plant Biology, 2008
- Distinct regulatory role for RFL , the rice LFY homolog, in determining flowering time and plant architectureProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2008
- Direct control of shoot meristem activity by a cytokinin-activating enzymeNature, 2007