title: Pollen semi-sterility1 encodes a kinesin-1-like protein important for male meiosis, anther dehiscence, and fertility in rice.
abstract: In flowering plants, male meiosis produces four microspores, which develop into pollen grains and are released by anther dehiscence to pollinate female gametophytes. The molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating male meiosis in rice (Oryza sativa) remain poorly understood. Here, we describe a rice pollen semi-sterility1 (pss1) mutant, which displays reduced spikelet fertility (~40%) primarily caused by reduced pollen viability (~50% viable), and defective anther dehiscence. Map-based molecular cloning revealed that PSS1 encodes a kinesin-1-like protein. PSS1 is broadly expressed in various organs, with highest expression in panicles. Furthermore, PSS1 expression is significantly upregulated during anther development and peaks during male meiosis. The PSS1-green fluorescent protein fusion is predominantly localized in the cytoplasm of rice protoplasts. Substitution of a conserved Arg (Arg-289) to His in the PSS1 motor domain nearly abolishes its microtubule-stimulated ATPase activity. Consistent with this, lagging chromosomes and chromosomal bridges were found at anaphase I and anaphase II of male meiosis in the pss1 mutant. Together, our results suggest that PSS1 defines a novel member of the kinesin-1 family essential for male meiotic chromosomal dynamics, male gametogenesis, and anther dehiscence in rice.
authors.affiliation: National Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Jiangsu Plant Gene Engineering Research Center, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors.forename: Shirong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wanchang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhigang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yulong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Suhai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Qibing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Linglong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zhijun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Cailin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.forename: Jiulin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiuping
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Fuqing
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ikehashi
authors.forename: Haiyang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jianmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wan
mesh_terms: D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D056130:Gametogenesis, Plant; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D016547:Kinesins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008540:Meiosis; D009154:Mutation; D012275:Oryza / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D051479:Plant Infertility; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D011058:Pollen / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018749:RNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins; D018749:RNA, Plant; D016547:Kinesins