The OsNL1-OsTOPLESS2-OsMOC1/3 pathway regulates high-order tiller outgrowth in rice.

Tiller is an important factor in determining rice yield. Currently, researches mainly focus on the outgrowth of low-order tiller (LOT), while the regulation mechanism of high-order tiller (HOT) outgrowth has remained unknown. In this study, we detected one OsNL1 mutant, nl1, exhibiting HOT numbers increase, and found that OsNL1 interacts with OsTOPLESS2, which was mediated by the core motif of nine amino acids VDCTLSLGT within the HAN domain of OsNL1. The topless2 mutant exhibits similar HOT number increase as in the nl1. Through ChIP-seq analysis, we revealed that OsNL1 recruits OsTOPLESS2 to conduct histone deacetylation in the promoters of OsMOC1 and OsMOC3 to regulate HOT outgrowth. Moreover, we showed that the HAN domain is essential for OsNL1 function as a repressor. In summary, our study reveals partial mechanism of HOT outgrowth in rice and deciphers the molecular biology function of the HAN domain. This will contribute to the comprehensive understanding of tiller outgrowth and the role of HAN-domain-containing genes.