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DRB4-dependent trans-acting siRNAs regulate lemma polarity development in rice
Jing You1, Jianyan Mu1, Bingyu Ning1
1Rice Research Institute, Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular Improvement, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
The New Phytologist
|April 7, 2026
Summary
Researchers identified a key gene, DRB4, essential for normal rice glume development. This discovery reveals a new regulatory pathway controlling floral organ polarity and grain yield.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Genetics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Glume development is crucial for rice grain morphology, quality, and yield.
- Regulatory mechanisms controlling rice lemma development are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify genes regulating rice lemma polarity.
- Elucidate the molecular mechanisms controlling glume development.
Main Methods:
- Rice mutant screening (drb4).
- Gene expression analysis.
- Biochemical assays.
- Genetic analysis.
Main Results:
- A mutant defective in lemma polarity (drb4) was identified, showing abnormal lemma development.
- DRB4 encodes a double-stranded RNA-binding protein involved in ta-siRNA biosynthesis.
- DRB4 interacts with OsDCL4, reducing ta-siRNA (tasiR-ARF) synthesis and affecting downstream OsARF gene expression.
- This leads to abnormal lemma polarity.
Conclusions:
- A novel DRB4-OsDCL4-tasiR-ARF-OsARF module precisely controls rice lemma polarity.
- This pathway is vital for normal glume development and provides insights into floral organogenesis.
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