Engineering meiotic recombination pathways in rice

Area of Science:

• Plant genetics
• Molecular biology
• Reproductive biology

Background:

• Significant progress in understanding meiotic genes in Arabidopsis and rice over the past 15 years.
• This knowledge has enabled modulation of meiotic recombination in these plant models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances and future prospects in manipulating meiotic recombination in rice and other major crops.
• To highlight the importance of these manipulations for global food security.

Main Methods:

• Inactivation of rice FANCM and RECQ4 DNA helicases to stimulate crossover (CO) frequency.
• Programmed induction of double-strand breaks (DSBs) and COs by guiding SPO11-1 to specific genomic regions.
• Creation of the Mitosis instead of Meiosis (MiMe) mutant by inactivating PAIR1, OsREC8, and OsOSD1 to achieve apomeiosis.

Main Results:

• Crossover frequency in rice was stimulated 2.3- and 3.2-fold by inactivating FANCM and RECQ4, respectively.
• The MiMe mutant abolished recombination, achieving apomeiosis, the first component of apomixis.
• Breakthrough strategies were implemented to complete diplosporous apomixis by triggering parthenogenesis.

Conclusions:

• Manipulation of meiotic recombination in rice offers significant potential for crop improvement.
• Achieving apomixis through genetic modification is a key advancement with implications for agriculture.
• Continued research in meiotic gene function is essential for ensuring global food security.