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SUI-family genes encode phosphatidylserine synthases and regulate stem development in rice
Hengfu Yin1, Peng Gao, Chengwu Liu
1National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China.
The Shortened Uppermost Internode 1 (SUI1) gene family in rice regulates stem development by controlling intercalary meristem activity and cell expansion. This research links lipid metabolism to plant stem cell maintenance.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Stem cell niche regulation is crucial for plant aerial shoot development.
- Intercalary meristem (IM) controls internode elongation in grasses like rice, but its stem cell maintenance mechanisms are poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the Shortened Uppermost Internode 1 (SUI1) gene family in rice stem development.
- To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms connecting lipid metabolism with plant stem cell maintenance.
Main Methods:
- Investigated rice stem development and SUI1 gene family function.
- Utilized yeast complementary assays to determine enzymatic activity of SUI-family proteins (phosphatidylserine synthases).
- Performed genome-wide gene expression analysis and Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight-mass spectrometry to analyze phosphatidylserine (PS) content.
Main Results:
- SUI-family genes are pivotal for rice stem development, regulating IM and panicle stem rachis cell expansion.
- Overexpression of SUI1 and SUI2 led to internode outgrowths and altered expression of Oryza Sativa Homeobox 15 (OSH15) and Histone4.
- SUI-family genes impact downstream gene expression in phospholipid metabolic pathways and affect very long chain fatty acids PS content.
Conclusions:
- The SUI1 pathway represents a novel mechanism linking lipid metabolism to plant stem cell maintenance.
- SUI-family genes are essential regulators of intercalary meristem function and cell expansion in rice stems.
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