Mutation of KAP, which encodes a keratin-associated protein, affects grain size and yield production in rice

Grain size and shape are critical agronomic traits that directly impact rice grain yield. Identifying genes that control these traits can provide new strategies for yield improvement. In this study, we characterized a rice mutant, reduced grain length (rgl), which exhibited decreased grain length due to reduced cell proliferation. Map-based cloning identified a base deletion in OsRGL2, a gene encoding a keratin-associated protein (KAP), as the cause of the mutant phenotype. CRISPR-Cas9-generated OsRGL2 knockout mutants also displayed reduced grain length, confirming its role. OsRGL2 transcripts were detected in various tissues, with relative higher gene expression in young panicles, and OsRGL2 was localized to the plasma membrane. Overexpression of OsRGL2 increased grain size by promoting cell proliferation in the spikelet hull and significantly enhanced grain yield per plant. Importantly, OsRGL2 was found to interact with RGB1, indicating that OsRGL2 positively regulates grain size and yield through its interaction with RGB1. Additionally, OsRGL2 regulated the expression of cell cycle-related genes, further elucidating its role in grain development. These findings demonstrate that OsRGL2 is a positive regulator of grain size in rice, and manipulating its expression may offer a novel strategy for enhancing rice grain yield.