Lu Wenhui, Cai Gaoyi, Xing Yannan, Fu Xingzhe, Zhou Lingling, Tang Yijun, Xu Ran, Li Yunhai, Wu Lian
School of Breeding and Multiplication (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya, China.
Zunyi Normal College, Department of Resources and Environment, Zunyi, Guizhou, China.
Front Plant Sci. 2025 Mar 24;16:1552268. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2025.1552268. eCollection 2025.
Grain size significantly affects rice yield and quality. Although several genes that regulate grain size have been identified, their mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we characterized the mutant, which has a smaller plant height, shorter panicles, and smaller grains compared to the wild type (WT). MutMap resequencing and gene knockout analysis identified , a gene encoding the kinesin-13a protein, a new allele of that positively regulates grain length and weight. RNA sequencing analyses revealed that the allele is involved in diterpenoid biosynthesis, amino sugar metabolism, and pentose-glucuronate interconversions. Furthermore, young panicles of the mutant exhibited decreased sucrose invertase activity as well as reduced sugar and starch content. These findings indicate that plays a significant role in sugar metabolism, influencing grain size and weight in rice. This research provides valuable insights into breeding rice varieties with improved yield and grain quality.
籽粒大小显著影响水稻产量和品质。尽管已经鉴定出几个调控籽粒大小的基因，但其作用机制仍不清楚。在本研究中，我们对一个突变体进行了表征，与野生型（WT）相比，该突变体株高较矮、穗较短且籽粒较小。MutMap重测序和基因敲除分析鉴定出一个编码驱动蛋白-13a蛋白的基因，它是一个正向调控籽粒长度和重量的新等位基因。RNA测序分析表明，该等位基因参与二萜生物合成、氨基糖代谢和戊糖-葡萄糖醛酸相互转化。此外，该突变体的幼穗蔗糖转化酶活性降低，糖和淀粉含量减少。这些发现表明该基因在糖代谢中起重要作用，影响水稻的籽粒大小和重量。本研究为培育产量和籽粒品质改良的水稻品种提供了有价值的见解。
