Mutation of the SP1 gene is responsible for the small-panicle trait in the rice cultivar Tachisuzuka,but not necessarily for high sugar content in the stem

Tachisuzuka, a rice cultivar grown for whole-crop silage, is characterized by the small-panicle trait and high-stem sugar content. To investigate the interrelationship between the two features, we attempted to identify the gene responsible for the small-panicle trait in Tachisuzuka, and also to examine the function of the gene using a knockout mutant line. A functionally disruptive deletion of the nucleotide sequence was found in the gene SP1 (Short-Panicle 1; Os11g0235200) in Tachisuzuka, which has been reported as a candidate gene for the small-panicle trait. A gene knockout mutant of SP1 obtained from the cultivar Nipponbare showed a small-panicle phenotype similar to that observed in Tachisuzuka. However, soluble sugar content in the stem did not increase in the knockout line, whereas starch content increased significantly. Overall, disruption of SP1 is responsible for the small-panicle phenotype of Tachisuzuka, but it is only partially associated with the high-stem sugar content.     

Levels of Crotonaldehyde and 4-hydroxy-(E)-2-nonenal and Expression of Genes Encoding Carbonyl-Scavenging Enzyme at Critical Node During Rice Seed Aging

The critical node(CN) is an important stage during seed aging, which is related to effective genebank conservation. Previous studies have demonstrated that proteins undergo carbonylated modification at the CN in rice, indicating oxidative damage. However, the levels of reactive carbonyl species(RCS) and the associated scavenging system at the CN are largely unknown. In this study, we optimized methods for the extraction and analysis of RCS from dry rice embryos. In order to acquire seeds at the CN, rice seeds were subjected to natural conditions for 7, 9, 11 and 13 months, and the seed germination rates were reduced to 90%, 82%, 71% and 57%, respectively. We chose the stage with seed germination rate of 82% as the CN according to the rice seed vigor loss curve. The levels of crotonaldehyde and 4-hydroxy-(E)-2-nonenal(HNE) were significantly increased at the CN. In addition, genes encoding carbonyl-scavenging enzyme, including Os ALDHs and Os AKRs, were significantly down-regulated at the CN, and reductions in the expression of Os ALDH2-2, Os ALDH2-5, Os ALDH3-4, Os ALDH7, Os AKR1 and Os AKR2 in particular could be responsible for RCS accumulation. Thus, the accumulations of crotonaldehyde and HNE and down-regulation of genes encoding carbonyl-scavenging enzyme might be related to an accelerating loss of seed viability at the CN.     

Isolation of a novel mutant gene for soil-surface rooting in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Background

Root system architecture is an important trait affecting the uptake of nutrients and water by crops. Shallower root systems preferentially take up nutrients from the topsoil and help avoid unfavorable environments in deeper soil layers. We have found a soil-surface rooting mutant from an M₂ population that was regenerated from seed calli of a japonica rice cultivar, Nipponbare. In this study, we examined the genetic and physiological characteristics of this mutant.

Results

The primary roots of the mutant showed no gravitropic response from the seedling stage on, whereas the gravitropic response of the shoots was normal. Segregation analyses by using an F₂ population derived from a cross between the soil-surface rooting mutant and wild-type Nipponbare indicated that the trait was controlled by a single recessive gene, designated as sor1. Fine mapping by using an F₂ population derived from a cross between the mutant and an indica rice cultivar, Kasalath, revealed that sor1 was located within a 136-kb region between the simple sequence repeat markers RM16254 and 2935-6 on the terminal region of the short arm of chromosome 4, where 13 putative open reading frames (ORFs) were found. We sequenced these ORFs and detected a 33-bp deletion in one of them, Os04g0101800. Transgenic plants of the mutant transformed with the genomic fragment carrying the Os04g0101800 sequence from Nipponbare showed normal gravitropic responses and no soil-surface rooting.

Conclusion

These results suggest that sor1, a rice mutant causing soil-surface rooting and altered root gravitropic response, is allelic to Os04g0101800, and that a 33-bp deletion in the coding region of this gene causes the mutant phenotypes.     

Divergent evolution of rice blast resistance <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pi54</Emphasis> locus in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza</Emphasis>

Background

The rice blast resistance gene Pi54 was cloned from Oryza sativa ssp. indica cv. Tetep, which conferred broad-spectrum resistance against Magnaporthe oryzae. Pi54 allelic variants have been identified in not only domesticates but also wild rice species, but the majority of japonica and some indica cultivars lost the function.

Results

We here found that Pi54 (Os11g0639100) and its homolog Os11g0640600 (named as #11) were closely located on a 25 kbp region in japonica cv. Sasanishiki compared to a 99 kbp region in japonica cv. Nipponbare. Sasanishiki lost at least six genes containing one other R-gene cluster (Os11g0639600, Os11g0640000, and Os11g0640300). Eight AA-genome species including five wild rice species were classified into either Nipponbare or Sasanishiki type. The BB-genome wild rice species O. punctata was Sasanishiki type. The FF-genome wild rice species O. brachyantha (the basal lineage of Oryza) was neither, because Pi54 was absent and the orientation of the R-gene cluster was reversed in comparison with Nipponbare-type species. The phylogenetic analysis showed that #11gene of O. brachyantha was on the root of both Pi54 and #11 alleles. All Nipponbare-type Pi54 alleles were specifically disrupted by 143 and 37/44?bp insertions compared to Tetep and Sasanishiki type. In addition, Pi54 of japonica cv. Sasanishiki lost nucleotide-binding site and leucine-rich repeat (NBS–LRR) domains owing to additional mutations.

Conclusions

These results suggest that Pi54 might be derived from a tandem duplication of the ancestor #11 gene in progenitor FF-genome species. Two divergent structures of Pi54 locus caused by a mobile unit containing the nearby R-gene cluster could be developed before domestication. This study provides a potential genetic resource of rice breeding for blast resistance in modern cultivars sustainability.

     

Breeding and Characterization of a New Rice Restorer Line Containing Bt Gene

Bt5198, a new rice restorer line containing Bt gene, was developed from the cross and backcross of the elite restorer line Chenghui 177 with Bt Minghui 63, a transgenic Bt restorer line. The inbred lines were evaluated using PCR amplification, test paper evaluation, insect resistance evaluation in both the laboratory and paddy fields, nursery evaluation of rice blast resistance and pedigree selection of agronomic traits. Larval mortalities on Bt5198 and Bt Minghui 63 were 100% when rice culms were inoculated with the eggs of the striped stem borer (SSB) in the laboratory. Bt5198 was highly resistant against SSB and the yellow stem borer (YSB) under field conditions. The F₁ hybrids derived from Bt5198 and four cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines were also highly resistant to SSB and YSB and had a significant heterosis. Two-year evaluation of rice blast resistance confirmed that the resistance levels of Bt5198 to leaf blast and neck blast were similar to those of Chenghui 177 and significantly better than those of Bt Minghui 63. Seed germination ability and pollen yield of Bt5198 were similar with Chenghui 177, suggesting that the introduction of the Bt gene into the new restorer line had no significant effects on seed vitality or the yield of seed production. To identify the presence of the Bt gene, it was effective to combine test paper examination with the evaluation of insect-resistance, both in the laboratory and under field conditions.     

Production of Two Elite Glutinous Rice Varieties by Editing Wx Gene

The waxy gene(Wx) in rice, which encodes the granule bound starch synthase enzyme, is responsible for amylose synthesis. Glutinous(sticky) rice has little or no amylose that can be used in various applications, such as brewing. In this study, knockout of the Wx gene with CRISPR/Cas9 technology was conducted in two elite japonica rice lines, Huaidao 5(HD5) and Suken 118(SK118), aiming to develop elite sticky rice varieties. We achieved six homozygous T_0 plants with more than 200 bp deletion in the Wx gene, as well as 36 wx-HD5 and 18 wx-SK118 homozygous transgene-free plants in the T_1 generation. The seeds of all the mutants were white and opaque, similar to those of sticky rice, and contained only 2.6%–3.2% amylose. Results of scanning electron microscopy showed that the quality of rice did not change. In conclusion, we successfully developed two elite sticky rice varieties.     

Association Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci for Grain Size in Introgression Line Derived from Oryza Rufipogon

Grain size is one of the critical agronomic traits governing grain yield and quality in rice. However, the underlying genetic mechanisms that control grain size in rice are poorly understood. We used an introgression line derived from Zhonghui 8015 and Oryza rufipogon Griff. This introgression line was evaluated under two different environmental conditions to dissect the quantitative trait loci controlling grain size. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using 28 193 SNPs through a general linear model, and 56 significant SNPs on different loci associated with the 4 grain size traits were detected. Cloned genes including GS3 and qGL3 showed substantial effects on grain length and size. Seven new stable loci were identified with pleiotropic effects on grain size. Haplotype, gene expression analyses, combined gene-based associations, and functional annotations permitted the shortlisting of important dominant genes including GS3 and qGL3.     

Identification and Genetic Analysis of Fertility Restoration Ability in Dongxiang Wild Rice （Oryza rufipogon）

Two populations of Dongxiang wild rice (Oryza rufipogon), Shuitaoshu and Dongtangshang, were crossed with five male sterile rice lines with different cytoplasmic backgrounds (B06S, Zhenshan 97A, Xieqingzao A, Zhong 9A, and Yuetai A), and the seed setting rate of the F₁ was used to judge the fertility restoration ability in the Dongxiang wild rice. With P₁, F₁, P₂, and F₂ populations as materials, the Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) was used to identify the major genes affecting quantitative traits, and when the major genes existed, the genetic effects of the major gene and the polygene and their genetic variance were estimated through segregation analysis. The seed setting rates of the F₁ generation varied from 45.98% to 76.57%, suggesting that the Dongxiang wild rice had the fertility restoration ability. One major gene plus polygene mixed inheritance model was the most fitted genetic model for this trait in all the F₂ populations. The heritability values of the major genes varied from 56.63% to 88.29% and those of the polygenes from 2.74% to 30.97%, and the total heritability values were from 63.17% to 94.01%. The major gene inheritance of the combination Zhong 9A/Dongtangshang was controlled by the additive effect without dominant effect, and the other nine combinations were by the completely dominant inheritance.     

Nucleotide polymorphisms in OsAGP genes and their possible association with grain weight of rice

ADP-Glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) is a rate-limiting enzyme participating in starch biosynthesis, which may be responsible for the filling rate and starch accumulation in the developing rice kernel. However, it is still unknown whether the naturally occurring variation in the sequence of ADP-Glucose pyrophosphorylase of rice (OsAGP) is related to the grain weight (GW). In this study, we discovered a total of 38 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertions/deletions (InDels) in the partial sequences of six OsAGP isoform genes from 30 rice accessions with diverse agronomic traits. We then developed ten cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) and derived CAPS (dCAPS) markers for genotyping the SNPs and InDels for an association mapping population consisting of 416 rice accessions. Candidate gene association study indicated that an InDel of OsAGPL4 was associated with GW in two environments and an SNP of OsAGPL2 was associated with GW in one environment. Each gene marker only explained 1% of the variation of GW, thus it could be concluded that both genes contributed little to GW of rice. However, the markers identified in this study could be used for tagging other traits of interests and in molecular breeding.     

Improving Rice Blast Resistance by Mining Broad-Spectrum Resistance Genes at Pik Locus

Magnaporthe oryzae is known for its genetic diversity and pathogenic variability, leading to rapid breakdown of resistance in rice. Incorporating multiple broad-spectrum blast resistance genes into rice cultivars would extend disease resistance longevity. Effective resistance breeding in rice therefore requires continual enrichment of the reservoir of resistance genes and alleles. We conducted a large-scale screen of rice blast resistance in about 2 000 rice accessions. Among them, 247 accessions showed at least medium resistance to the natural infection of rice blast and 7 novel Pik alleles were identified from them. Variations in gene sequences were then correlated with the phenotypic trait to enable the identification of favorable alleles. Among the seven novel Pik alleles, the resistant rate of Pik-R0/ME/7017 donors was greater than 80%, and the disease score was less than 3. Through molecular marker-assisted backcross breeding, we successfully transferred the three Pik alleles, Pik-R0/ME/7017, into an elite cultivated line Kongyu 131 to obtain BC₃F₂ lines, which showed enhanced resistance to rice blast compared with the recurrent parent. Assessment of these near-isogenic lines in the greenhouse using 31 isolates of M. oryzae from Heilongjiang Province of China revealed that the resistant levels of the BC₃F₂ lines with Pik-R0/ME/7017 were significantly higher than those of the established cloned resistance genes Pik-m and Pi1. Exploring such alleles will enrich our gene library for resistance to rice blast.     

Marker-Assisted Breeding of Thermo-Sensitive Genic Male Sterile Line 1892S for Disease Resistance and Submergence Tolerance

Rice line 1892S is an elite thermo-sensitive genic male sterile(TGMS)line for two-line hybrid rice production.However,1892S is susceptible to rice blast,bacterial blight and submergence.Here we reported the introduction of blast resistance(R)gene Pi9,bacterial blight R gene Xa21 and submergence tolerance gene Sub1A into 1892S genetic background through backcrossing and marker-assisted selection.The improved TGMS line 31892S and its hybrids conferred disease resistance to rice blast and bacterial blight,and showed submergence tolerance for over 14 d without significant loss of viability.The sterility-fertility conversion of 31892S was similar to that of 1892S.31892S and its derived hybrid rice had similar agronomic traits and grain quality with 1892S and the control hybrid rice,respectively.The newly developed 31892S provided an improved TGMS line for two-line hybrid rice production with disease resistance to rice blast and bacterial blight,and submergence tolerance with no yield penalty or change in grain quality.     

CRISPR/Cas9-Targeted Knockout of Rice Susceptibility Genes OsDjA2 and OsERF104 Reveals Alternative Sources of Resistance to Pyricularia oryzae

Rice genes OsDjA2 and OsERF104, encoding a chaperone protein and an APETELA2/ ethylene-responsive factor, respectively, are strongly induced in a compatible interaction with blast fungus, and also have function in plant susceptibility validated through gene silencing. Here, we reported the CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of OsDjA2 and OsERF104 genes resulting in considerable improvement of blast resistance. A total of 15 OsDjA2 (62.5%) and 17 OsERF104 (70.8%) T₀ transformed lines were identified from 24 regenerated plants for each target and used in downstream experiments. Phenotyping of homozygous T₁ mutant lines revealed not only a significant decrease in the number of blast lesions but also a reduction in the percentage of diseased leaf area, compared with the infected control plants. Our results supported CRISPR/Cas9-mediated target mutation in rice susceptibility genes as a potential and alternative breeding strategy for building resistance to blast disease.     

一个水稻铜锌SOD酶基因在应答亚砷酸盐胁迫中的作用

【目的】水稻Os08g44770.1基因编码一个铜锌SOD酶,但其在响应亚砷酸盐[As(Ⅲ)]胁迫中的生物学功能未知。本研究旨在深入揭示由该基因调控水稻砷耐性改变的分子机理并为水稻抗逆育种提供理论参考。【方法】以野生型日本晴(WT)和2个Os08g44770.1过表达转基因株系为试材,通过胁迫处理、生理指标测定和基因表达分析等,系统探究了转基因植株对As(Ⅲ)的耐受性表现,并初步揭示了其调控水稻砷耐性的生理和分子机理。【结果】与WT相比,过表达转基因株系对As(Ⅲ)更加敏感;转基因植株在砷胁迫下的根系相对伸长量、生物量(干质量)、叶绿素含量、根系细胞质膜完整性、叶片抗氧化程度等均显著低于WT;Os08g44770.1在砷处理后的WT和转基因植株叶片中的表达模式略有不同,但均表现为处理24 h时被显著诱导表达。【结论】过度表达Os08g44770.1基因可导致水稻的砷耐受性极显著下降。     

Genome-Wide Analysis of von Willebrand Factor A Gene Family in Rice for Its Role in Imparting Biotic Stress Resistance with Emphasis on Rice Blast Disease

von Willebrand factor A (vWA) genes are well characterized in humans except for few BONZAI genes, but the vWA genes are least explored in plants. Considering the novelty and vital role of vWA genes, this study aimed at characterization of vWA superfamily in rice. Rice genome was found to have 40 vWA genes distributed across all the 12 chromosomes, and 20 of the 40 vWA genes were unique while the remaining shared large fragment similarities with each other, indicating gene duplication. In addition to vWA domain, vWA proteins possess other different motifs or domains, such as ubiquitin interacting motif in protein degradation pathway, and RING finger in protein-protein interaction. Expression analysis of vWA genes in available expression data suggested that they probably function in biotic and abiotic stress responses including hormonal response and signaling. The frequency of transposon elements in the entire 3K rice germplasm was negligible except for 9 vWA genes, indicating the importance of these genes in rice. Structural and functional diversities showed that the vWA genes in a blast-resistant rice variety Tetep had huge variations compared to blast-susceptible rice varieties HP2216 and Nipponbare. qRT-PCR analysis of vWA genes in Magnaporthe oryzae infected rice tissues indicated OsvWA9, OsvWA36, OsvWA37 and OsvWA18 as the optimal candidate genes for disease resistance. This is the first attempt to characterize vWA gene family in plant species.