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Regulatory network and genetic interactions established by OsMADS34 in rice inflorescence and spikelet morphogenesis
Author(s) -
Meng Qingcai,
Li Xiaofeng,
Zhu Wanwan,
Yang Li,
Liang Wanqi,
Dreni Ludovico,
Zhang Dabing
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of integrative plant biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.734
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1744-7909
pISSN - 1672-9072
DOI - 10.1111/jipb.12594
Subject(s) - inflorescence , biology , mutant , meristem , phenotype , glume , oryza sativa , morphogenesis , lemma (botany) , transcription factor , gene , genetics , botany , microbiology and biotechnology , poaceae
Grasses display highly diversified inflorescence architectures that differ in the arrangement of spikelets and flowers and determine cereal yields. However, the molecular basis underlying grass inflorescence morphogenesis remains largely unknown. Here we investigate the role of a functionally diversified SEPALLATA MADS‐box transcription factor, OsMADS34, in regulating rice ( Oryza sativa L.) inflorescence and spikelet development. Microarray analysis showed that, at the very early stages of inflorescence formation, dysfunction of OsMADS34 caused altered expression of 379 genes that are associated with protein modification and degradation, transcriptional regulation, signaling and metabolism activity. Genetic analysis revealed that OsMADS34 controls different aspects of inflorescence structure, branching and meristem activity synergistically with LAX PANICLE1 ( LAX1 ) and FLORAL ORGAN NUMBER4 ( FON4 ), as evidenced by the enhanced phenotypes of osmads34 lax1 and osmads34 fon4 compared with the single mutants. Additionally, double mutant between osmads34 and the sterile lemma defective mutant elongated empty glume ( ele ) displayed an enhanced phenotype, that is, longer and wider sterile lemmas that were converted into lemma/palea‐like organs, suggesting that ELE and OsMADS34 synergistically control the sterile lemma development. OsMADS34 may act together with OsMADS15 in controlling sterile lemma development. Collectively, these findings provide insights into the regulatory function of OsMADS34 in rice inflorescence and spikelet development.