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Functional characterization of OsLT9 in regulating rice leaf thickness
Jian Wang1, Dagang Chen1, Haifei Hu1
1Rice Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Rice Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of High Quality Rice in Southern China (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs & Guangdong Rice Engineering Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510640, China.
A novel gene, OsLT9, regulating rice leaf thickness was identified. Overexpressing OsLT9 enhances photosynthesis and grain yield, offering a valuable target for breeding improved rice varieties.
Area of Science:
- Plant Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Crop Science
Background:
- Leaf thickness in rice is crucial for photosynthesis and yield but its genetic underpinnings are not well understood.
- Only a limited number of functional genes controlling leaf thickness have been previously identified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel genes controlling leaf thickness in rice.
- To investigate the genetic basis of leaf thickness and its relationship with photosynthetic efficiency and grain yield.
Main Methods:
- Pangenome-wide association study (Pan-GWAS) on 302 rice accessions.
- Fine-mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and candidate gene identification.
- Transcriptomic analysis, genomic sequencing, and transgenic experiments (overexpression and complementation).
Main Results:
- Identified 49 QTLs for leaf thickness, with the most significant locus, qLT9, fine-mapped to a 79 kb region.
- LOC_Os09g33480 (OsLT9), encoding a MORF family protein, confirmed as the functional gene underlying qLT9.
- A 24-bp Indel in the OsLT9 promoter correlates with gene expression and leaf thickness; OsLT9 overexpression increases leaf thickness, photosynthetic efficiency, and grain yield.
Conclusions:
- OsLT9 is a key regulator of leaf thickness in rice, directly impacting photosynthetic efficiency and grain yield.
- Strong selection for the thick-leaf haplotype of OsLT9 during rice domestication and breeding was observed.
- OsLT9 represents a valuable genetic resource for developing high-yielding rice through targeted breeding strategies.
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