A rice homeotic gene, OSH1, causes unusual phenotypes in transgenic tobacco.

A rice gene, OSH1, which shares homology with animal homeobox genes, has been isolated. We have introduced the OSH1 cDNA into tobacco in order to examine its function. Expression of the OSH1 cDNA in tobacco induced morphological abnormalities in the leaves, petals and stems of the transformants suggesting that OSH1 functions as a morphological regulator. OSH1 cDNA expression was analyzed under the control of three different promoters. This work revealed that not only the level of OSH1 expression but also the site and timing of the expression affect the morphology of the plant.