title: The DROOPING LEAF and OsETTIN2 genes promote awn development in rice.
abstract: The awn is a long needle-like appendage that, in some grass species, is formed on the lemma that encloses floral organs together with the palea. In rice, most wild species and most strains of Oryza sativa ssp. indica generate an awn, whereas most strains of O. sativa ssp. japonica do not. In japonica, the long-awn characteristic appears to have been lost during domestication and breeding programs. Here, we found that the genes DROOPING LEAF (DL) and OsETTIN2 (OsETT2) are involved in awn development in the awned indica strain Kasalath. Genetic analyses and RNA-silencing experiments indicate that DL and OsETT2 act independently in awn formation, and that either gene alone is not sufficient for awn development. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the top region of the lemma (a putative awn primordium) is larger in an awned floret than in an awnless floret. OsETT2 is expressed in the awn primordium in the awned indica floret, but not in the awnless japonica floret except in the provascular bundle. DL is expressed underneath the primordium at similar levels in both indica and japonica florets, suggesting non-cell-autonomous action. We hypothesize that loss of expression of OsETT2 in the awn primordium is probably associated with the failure of awn formation in japonica strains.
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan.
authors: Taiyo
authors: T
authors: Toriba
authors: Hiro-Yuki
authors: HY
authors: Hirano
mesh_terms: D035263:Flowering Tops / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D035264:Flowers / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D018519:Meristem / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D012275:Oryza / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D021381:Protein Transport; D034622:RNA Interference; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
keywords: DROOPING LEAF (DL); ETTIN; awn; flower; meristem; rice