Open AccessDu13 encodes a C 2 H 2 zinc‐finger protein that regulates Wx b pre‐mRNA splicing and microRNA biogenesis in rice endosperm
Author(s) -
Cai Yue,
Zhang Wenwei,
Fu Yushuang,
Shan Zhuangzhuang,
Xu Jiahuan,
Wang Peng,
Kong Fei,
Jin Jie,
Yan Haigang,
Ge Xinyuan,
Wang Yongxiang,
You Xiaoman,
Chen Jie,
Li Xin,
Chen Weiwei,
Chen Xingang,
Ma Jing,
Tang Xiaojie,
Zhang Jie,
Bao Yiqun,
Jiang Ling,
Wang Haiyang,
Wan Jianmin
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
plant biotechnology journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.525
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1467-7652
pISSN - 1467-7644
DOI - 10.1111/pbi.13821
Subject(s) - endosperm , biology , rna splicing , gene , alternative splicing , biogenesis , microrna , zinc finger , splicing factor , genetics , oryza sativa , messenger rna , microbiology and biotechnology , rna , transcription factor
Summary Amylose content is a crucial physicochemical property responsible for the eating and cooking quality of rice ( Oryza sativa L.) grain and is mainly controlled by the Waxy ( Wx ) gene. Previous studies have identified several Dull genes that modulate the expression of the Wx b allele in japonica rice by affecting the splicing efficiency of the Wx b pre‐mRNA. Here, we uncover dual roles for a novel Dull gene in pre‐mRNA splicing and microRNA processing. We isolated the dull mutant, du13 , with a dull endosperm and low amylose content. Map‐based cloning showed that Du13 encodes a C 2 H 2 zinc‐finger protein. Du13 coordinates with the nuclear cap‐binding complex to regulate the splicing of Wx b transcripts in rice endosperm. Moreover, Du13 also regulates alternative splicing of other protein‐coding transcripts and affects the biogenesis of a subset of microRNAs. Our results reveal an evolutionarily conserved link between pre‐mRNA splicing and microRNA biogenesis in rice endosperm. Our findings also provide new insights into the functions of Dull genes in rice and expand our knowledge of microRNA biogenesis in monocots.