scholarly journals CRISPR-Cas9 mediated mutation in GRAIN WIDTH and WEIGHT2 (GW2) locus improves aleurone layer and grain nutritional quality in rice

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Mohan Murali Achary ◽  
Malireddy K. Reddy
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Grain Filling ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Endosperm Development ◽  
Aleurone Layer ◽  
Rice Grain ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Improvement Strategy ◽  
Grain Width

AbstractEnhancing crop productivity and their nutritional quality are the key components and primary focus of crop improvement strategy for fulfilling future food demand and improving human health. Grain filling and endosperm development are the key determinants of grain yield and nutritional quality. GRAIN WIDTH and WEIGHT2 (GW2) gene encodes a RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase and determines the grain weight in cereal crops. Here we report GW2 knockout (KO) mutants in Indica (var. MTU1010) through CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. The endosperm of GW2-KO mutant seed displays a thick aleurone layer with enhanced grain protein content. Further the loss of function of OsGW2 results in improved accumulation of essential dietary minerals (Fe, Zn, K, P, Ca) in the endosperm of rice grain. Additionally, the mutants displayed an early growth vigour phenotype with an improved root and shoot architecture. The hull morphology of GW2-KO lines also showed improved, grain filling thereby promoting larger grain architecture. Together, our findings indicate that GW2 may serve as a key regulator of improved grain architecture, grain nutritional quality and an important modulator of plant morphology. The study offers a strategy for the development of improved rice cultivars with enriched nutritional quality and its possible implementation in other cereals as well.

scholarly journals Genome Wide Analysis of the Transcriptional Profiles in Different Regions of the Developing Rice Grains

Rice ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting-Ying Wu ◽  
Marlen Müller ◽  
Wilhelm Gruissem ◽  
Navreet K. Bhullar
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Dna Sequence ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Grain Filling ◽  
Aleurone Layer ◽  
Rice Grain ◽  
Sequence Motifs ◽  
Grain Development ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Dna Sequence Motifs

Abstract Background Rice is an important food source for humans worldwide. Because of its nutritional and agricultural significance, a number of studies addressed various aspects of rice grain development and grain filling. Nevertheless, the molecular processes underlying grain filling and development, and in particular the contributions of different grain tissues to these processes, are not understood. Main Text Using RNA-sequencing, we profiled gene expression activity in grain tissues comprised of cross cells (CC), the nucellar epidermis (NE), ovular vascular trace (OVT), endosperm (EN) and the aleurone layer (AL). These tissues were dissected using laser capture microdissection (LCM) at three distinct grain development stages. The mRNA expression datasets offer comprehensive and new insights into the gene expression patterns in different rice grain tissues and their contributions to grain development. Comparative analysis of the different tissues revealed their similar and/or unique functions, as well as the spatio-temporal regulation of common and tissue-specific genes. The expression patterns of genes encoding hormones and transporters indicate an important role of the OVT tissue in metabolite transport during grain development. Gene co-expression network prediction on OVT-specific genes identified several distinct and common development-specific transcription factors. Further analysis of enriched DNA sequence motifs proximal to OVT-specific genes revealed known and novel DNA sequence motifs relevant to rice grain development. Conclusion Together, the dataset of gene expression in rice grain tissues is a novel and useful resource for further work to dissect the molecular and metabolic processes during rice grain development.

scholarly journals The Rho-family GTPase OsRac1 controls rice grain size and yield by regulating cell division

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (32) ◽  
pp. 16121-16126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Zhang ◽  
Yan Xiong ◽  
Renyi Liu ◽  
Hong-Wei Xue ◽  
Zhenbiao Yang
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Grain Filling ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Rice Grain ◽  
Rop Gtpase ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Grain Width

Grain size is a key factor for determining grain yield in crops and is a target trait for both domestication and breeding, yet the mechanisms underlying the regulation of grain size are largely unclear. Here we show that the grain size and yield of rice (Oryza sativa) is positively regulated by ROP GTPase (Rho-like GTPase from plants), a versatile molecular switch modulating plant growth, development, and responses to the environment. Overexpression of rice OsRac1ROP not only increases cell numbers, resulting in a larger spikelet hull, but also accelerates grain filling rate, causing greater grain width and weight. As a result, OsRac1 overexpression improves grain yield in O. sativa by nearly 16%. In contrast, down-regulation or deletion of OsRac1 causes the opposite effects. RNA-seq and cell cycle analyses suggest that OsRac1 promotes cell division. Interestingly, OsRac1 interacts with and regulates the phosphorylation level of OsMAPK6, which is known to regulate cell division and grain size in rice. Thus, our findings suggest OsRac1 modulates rice grain size and yield by influencing cell division. This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the control of rice grain size and suggests that OsRac1 could serve as a potential target gene for breeding high-yield crops.

scholarly journals Genome wide analysis of the transcriptional profiles in different regions of the developing rice grains

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting-Ying Wu ◽  
Marlen Müller ◽  
Wilhelm Gruissem ◽  
Navreet K. Bhullar
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Dna Sequence ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Grain Filling ◽  
Aleurone Layer ◽  
Rice Grain ◽  
Sequence Motifs ◽  
Grain Development ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Dna Sequence Motifs

Abstract Background Rice is an important food source for humans worldwide. Because of its nutritional and agricultural significance, a number of studies addressed various aspects of rice grain development and grain filling. Nevertheless, the molecular processes underlying grain filling and development, and in particular in different contributions of grain tissues to these process, are not understood. Main text Using RNA-sequencing, we profiled gene expression activity in grain tissues comprised of cross cells (CC), the nucellar epidermis (NE), ovular vascular trace (OVT), endosperm (EN) and the aleurone layer (AL). These tissues were dissected using laser capture microdissection (LCM) at three distinct grain development stages. The mRNA expression datasets offer comprehensive and new insights into the gene expression patterns in different rice grain tissues and their contributions to grain development. Comparative analysis of the different tissues revealed their similar and/or unique functions, as well as the spatio-temporal regulation of common and tissue-specific genes. The expression patterns of genes encoding hormones and transporters indicate an important role of the OVT tissue in metabolite transport during grain development. Gene co-expression network prediction on OVT-specific genes identified several distinct and common development-specific transcription factors. Further analysis of enriched DNA sequence motifs proximal to OVT-specific genes revealed known and novel DNA sequence motifs relevant to rice grain development. Conclusion Together, the dataset of gene expression in rice grain tissues is a novel and useful resource for further work to dissect the molecular and metabolic processes during rice grain development.

scholarly journals Maize Defective Kernel605 Encodes a Canonical DYW-Type PPR Protein that Edits a Conserved Site of nad1 and Is Essential for Seed Nutritional Quality

2020 ◽  
Vol 61 (11) ◽  
pp. 1954-1966 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaijian Fan ◽  
Yixuan Peng ◽  
Zhenjing Ren ◽  
Delin Li ◽  
Sihan Zhen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Complex I ◽  
Endosperm Development ◽  
Mitochondrial Rna ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Pentatricopeptide Repeat ◽  
Respiratory Pathway ◽  
Ppr Protein ◽  
Normal Seed ◽  
Ppr Proteins

Abstract Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins involved in mitochondrial RNA cytidine (C)-to-uridine (U) editing mostly result in stagnant embryo and endosperm development upon loss of function. However, less is known about PPRs that are involved in farinaceous endosperm formation and maize quality. Here, we cloned a maize DYW-type PPR Defective Kernel605 (Dek605). Mutation of Dek605 delayed seed and seedling development. Mitochondrial transcript analysis of dek605 revealed that loss of DEK605 impaired C-to-U editing at the nad1-608 site and fails to alter Ser203 to Phe203 in NAD1 (dehydrogenase complex I), disrupting complex I assembly and reducing NADH dehydrogenase activity. Meanwhile, complexes III and IV in the cytochrome pathway, as well as AOX2 in the alternative respiratory pathway, are dramatically increased. Interestingly, the dek605 mutation resulted in opaque endosperm and increased levels of the free amino acids alanine, aspartic acid and phenylalanine. The down- and upregulated genes mainly involved in stress response-related and seed dormancy-related pathways, respectively, were observed after transcriptome analysis of dek605 at 12 d after pollination. Collectively, these results indicate that Dek605 specifically affects the single nad1-608 site and is required for normal seed development and resulted in nutritional quality relevant amino acid accumulation.

scholarly journals Embryo-Endosperm Interaction and Its Agronomic Relevance to Rice Quality

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu An ◽  
Yang Tao ◽  
Hao Chen ◽  
Mingjie He ◽  
Feng Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Grain Filling ◽  
Endosperm Development ◽  
Rice Grain ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Integrative View ◽  
Plant Sciences ◽  
Dominant Process ◽  
Grain Chalkiness

Embryo-endosperm interaction is the dominant process controlling grain filling, thus being crucial for yield and quality formation of the three most important cereals worldwide, rice, wheat, and maize. Fundamental science of functional genomics has uncovered several key genetic programs for embryo and endosperm development, but the interaction or communication between the two tissues is largely elusive. Further, the significance of this interaction for grain filling remains open. This review starts with the morphological and developmental aspects of rice grain, providing a spatial and temporal context. Then, it offers a comprehensive and integrative view of this intercompartmental interaction, focusing on (i) apoplastic nutrient flow from endosperm to the developing embryo, (ii) dependence of embryo development on endosperm, (iii) regulation of endosperm development by embryo, and (iv) bidirectional dialogues between embryo and endosperm. From perspective of embryo-endosperm interaction, the mechanisms underlying the complex quality traits are explored, with grain chalkiness as an example. The review ends with three open questions with scientific and agronomic importance that should be addressed in the future. Notably, current knowledge and future prospects of this hot research topic are reviewed from a viewpoint of crop physiology, which should be helpful for bridging the knowledge gap between the fundamental plant sciences and the practical technologies.

scholarly journals Genome Wide Analysis of the Transcriptional Profiles in Different Regions of the Developing Rice Grains

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting-Ying Wu ◽  
Marlen Müller ◽  
Wilhelm Gruissem ◽  
Navreet K. Bhullar
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Dna Sequence ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Grain Filling ◽  
Aleurone Layer ◽  
Rice Grain ◽  
Sequence Motifs ◽  
Grain Development ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Dna Sequence Motifs

Abstract Background Rice is an important food source for humans worldwide. Because of its nutritional and agricultural significance, a number of studies addressed various aspects of rice grain development and grain filling. Nevertheless, the molecular processes underlying grain filling and development, and in particular in different contributions of grain tissues to these process, are not understood.Main text Using RNA-sequencing, we profiled gene expression activity in grain tissues comprised of cross cells (CC), the nucellar epidermis (NE), ovular vascular trace (OVT), endosperm (EN) and the aleurone layer (AL). These tissues were dissected using laser capture microdissection (LCM) at three distinct grain development stages. The mRNA expression datasets offer comprehensive and new insights into the gene expression patterns in different rice grain tissues and their contributions to grain development. Comparative analysis of the different tissues revealed their similar and/or unique functions, as well as the spatio-temporal regulation of common and tissue-specific genes. The expression patterns of genes encoding hormones and transporters indicate an important role of the OVT tissue in metabolite transport during grain development. Gene co-expression network prediction on OVT-specific genes identified several distinct and common development-specific transcription factors. Further analysis of enriched DNA sequence motifs proximal to OVT-specific genes revealed known and novel DNA sequence motifs relevant to rice grain development.Conclusion Together, the dataset of gene expression in rice grain tissues is a novel and useful resource for further work to dissect the molecular and metabolic processes during rice grain development.

scholarly journals Tackling G × E × M interactions to close on-farm yield-gaps: creating novel pathways for crop improvement by predicting contributions of genetics and management to crop productivity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Cooper ◽  
Kai P. Voss-Fels ◽  
Carlos D. Messina ◽  
Tom Tang ◽  
Graeme L. Hammer
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Global Food Security ◽  
Genotype By Environment ◽  
Improvement Strategies ◽  
Yield Gaps ◽  
On Farm

Abstract Key message Climate change and Genotype-by-Environment-by-Management interactions together challenge our strategies for crop improvement. Research to advance prediction methods for breeding and agronomy is opening new opportunities to tackle these challenges and overcome on-farm crop productivity yield-gaps through design of responsive crop improvement strategies. Abstract Genotype-by-Environment-by-Management (G × E × M) interactions underpin many aspects of crop productivity. An important question for crop improvement is “How can breeders and agronomists effectively explore the diverse opportunities within the high dimensionality of the complex G × E × M factorial to achieve sustainable improvements in crop productivity?” Whenever G × E × M interactions make important contributions to attainment of crop productivity, we should consider how to design crop improvement strategies that can explore the potential space of G × E × M possibilities, reveal the interesting Genotype–Management (G–M) technology opportunities for the Target Population of Environments (TPE), and enable the practical exploitation of the associated improved levels of crop productivity under on-farm conditions. Climate change adds additional layers of complexity and uncertainty to this challenge, by introducing directional changes in the environmental dimension of the G × E × M factorial. These directional changes have the potential to create further conditional changes in the contributions of the genetic and management dimensions to future crop productivity. Therefore, in the presence of G × E × M interactions and climate change, the challenge for both breeders and agronomists is to co-design new G–M technologies for a non-stationary TPE. Understanding these conditional changes in crop productivity through the relevant sciences for each dimension, Genotype, Environment, and Management, creates opportunities to predict novel G–M technology combinations suitable to achieve sustainable crop productivity and global food security targets for the likely climate change scenarios. Here we consider critical foundations required for any prediction framework that aims to move us from the current unprepared state of describing G × E × M outcomes to a future responsive state equipped to predict the crop productivity consequences of G–M technology combinations for the range of environmental conditions expected for a complex, non-stationary TPE under the influences of climate change.

scholarly journals Essential Role of Sugar Transporter OsSWEET11 During the Early Stage of Rice Grain Filling

2017 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 863-873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lai Ma ◽  
Dechun Zhang ◽  
Qisong Miao ◽  
Jing Yang ◽  
Yuanhu Xuan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Essential Role ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Grain Filling ◽  
Rice Grain ◽  
Sugar Transporter

scholarly journals Rising Atmospheric Temperature Impact on Wheat and Thermotolerance Strategies

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Adeel Khan ◽  
Munir Ahmad ◽  
Mukhtar Ahmed ◽  
M. Iftikhar Hussain
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Foliar Application ◽  
Pollen Viability ◽  
Grain Filling ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Potassium Nitrate ◽  
Agricultural Crop ◽  
Stay Green ◽  
Seed Formation

Temperature across the globe is increasing continuously at the rate of 0.15–0.17 °C per decade since the industrial revolution. It is influencing agricultural crop productivity. Therefore, thermotolerance strategies are needed to have sustainability in crop yield under higher temperature. However, improving thermotolerance in the crop is a challenging task for crop scientists. Therefore, this review work was conducted with the aim of providing information on the wheat response in three research areas, i.e., physiology, breeding, and advances in genetics, which could assist the researchers in improving thermotolerance. The optimum temperature for wheat growth at the heading, anthesis, and grain filling duration is 16 ± 2.3 °C, 23 ± 1.75 °C, and 26 ± 1.53 °C, respectively. The high temperature adversely influences the crop phenology, growth, and development. The pre-anthesis high temperature retards the pollen viability, seed formation, and embryo development. The post-anthesis high temperature declines the starch granules accumulation, stem reserve carbohydrates, and translocation of photosynthates into grains. A high temperature above 40 °C inhibits the photosynthesis by damaging the photosystem-II, electron transport chain, and photosystem-I. Our review work highlighted that genotypes which can maintain a higher accumulation of proline, glycine betaine, expression of heat shock proteins, stay green and antioxidant enzymes activity viz., catalase, peroxidase, super oxide dismutase, and glutathione reductase can tolerate high temperature efficiently through sustaining cellular physiology. Similarly, the pre-anthesis acclimation with heat treatment, inorganic fertilizer such as nitrogen, potassium nitrate and potassium chloride, mulches with rice husk, early sowing, presoaking of a 6.6 mM solution of thiourea, foliar application of 50 ppm dithiothreitol, 10 mg per kg of silicon at heading and zinc ameliorate the crop against the high temperature. Finally, it has been suggested that modern genomics and omics techniques should be used to develop thermotolerance in wheat.

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