The dynamin-related protein Osdrp1c plays an essential role in rice root elongation (Oryza sativa L.)

Root is indispensable for anchoring, mechanical support, nutrient and water uptake, which is essential for plant growth and crop yield. However, the knowledge is largely unknown about the underlying molecular mechanisms that determine root growth and development. In this study, a rice (Oryza sativa) short root mutant named Osdrp1c which caused by reduced cell elongation, division and endocytic activity was obtained by using ethyl-methane sulfonate-mutagenized method. Moreover, the Osdrp1c mutant roots exhibited enhanced cell death and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. The mutation was mapped to and located in the putative DRP1C gene, as multidomain GTPases, dynamin-related proteins (DRPs) constitute a subgroup within the dynamin superfamily. OsDRP1C exhibited widespread expression across various plant tissues and was localized at chloroplast, cytoplasm and plasma membrane. In addition, transcriptome analysis showed that OsDRP1C modulates pathways for maintaining redox homeostasis like glutathione (GSH) metabolism and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Subsequent metabolomics further identified significant perturbations in related metabolic fluxes, impacting GSH, amino acid, nucleotide and phenylpropanoid metabolism. Therefore, Our results demonstrate that OsDRP1C orchestrates rice root development through its regulatory roles in dynamin-mediated cellular processes.