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Differential Regulation of Pre-Harvest Sprouting by OsERF1 and OsERF94 Through Hormone Signaling and Metabolic
Yu-Jin Jung1,2, Jong-Hee Kim1, Jin-Young Kim1
1Division of Horticultural Biotechnology, Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Republic of Korea.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|July 15, 2026
Summary
Two ethylene-responsive factor transcription factors regulate rice pre-harvest sprouting (PHS). OsERF1 maintains dormancy, while OsERF94 promotes germination by influencing hormone signaling and metabolism.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Genetics
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) in rice leads to significant yield and quality losses, particularly in humid environments.
- Seed dormancy and germination are regulated by hormonal balance, but the underlying transcriptional mechanisms are not fully understood.
- Ethylene-responsive factor (ERF) transcription factors play crucial roles in plant responses to various stimuli.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the roles of OsERF1 and OsERF94 transcription factors in regulating rice PHS.
- To elucidate the transcriptional mechanisms linking hormone signaling and metabolic adaptation during PHS.
Main Methods:
- CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of OsERF1 and OsERF94 in rice.
- Physiological, gene-expression, and metabolite analyses of knockout mutants under PHS-inducing conditions.
Main Results:
- The oserf1-KO mutant exhibited reduced dormancy and increased germination, with altered abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin (GA) gene expression.
- The oserf94-KO mutant showed enhanced dormancy and reduced germination, decreased expression of hypoxia-responsive fermentation genes, and impaired carbohydrate mobilization.
- Metabolite analysis revealed reduced soluble sugar and ethanol, and increased starch content in oserf94-KO mutants.
Conclusions:
- OsERF1 primarily mediates hormone-controlled dormancy maintenance during PHS.
- OsERF94 facilitates metabolic activation, particularly carbohydrate mobilization, essential for germination under high-moisture conditions.
- A dual regulatory framework involving hormonal control and hypoxia-associated carbon metabolism determines rice PHS susceptibility.
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