The transcription factor OsPIL13 regulates leaf inclination in rice by modulating brassinosteroid homeostasis

A plant architecture with upright leaves promotes canopy photosynthesis, thus enhancing biomass production. Brassinosteroid (BR) biosynthesis has been positively linked with rice leaf angle; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain obscure. Here, we report that OsPIL13, a bHLH transcription factor, modulates rice (Oryza sativa L.) leaf angle by orchestrating BR biosynthesis. Phenotypic and cytological analysis demonstrated that OsPIL13 modulates longitudinal cell elongation in the adaxial lamina joint, with ospil13 mutants showing a 48% reduction in leaf angles and OsPIL13 overexpression lines exhibiting an 86% increase in leaf angles relative to cv. Dongjin (WT), ultimately shaping rice leaf angle. Interestingly, the WT and OsPIL13 transgenic plants had contrasting responses to brassinazole (a specific BR biosynthesis inhibitor), implying that the BR pathway is involved in OsPIL13-mediated leaf angle. Further studies identified that OsPIL13 binds to the exon of OsDWF4, encoding the rate-limiting enzyme in BR synthesis CYP90B1. The content of endogenous brassinolide decreased in the lamina joints of the ospil13 mutant relative to WT, whereas the OsPIL13 overexpression line resulted in an increase. Moreover, mutation of OsDWF4 in the background of the WT and OsPIL13 overexpression line was associated with a reduced leaf angle compared to their respective WTs. Our data reveal that OsPIL13 modulates rice leaf angle by regulating BR homeostasis through the OsDWF4-mediated pathway.