title: Molecular genetic dissection of quantitative trait loci regulating rice grain size.
abstract: Grain size is one of the most important factors determining rice yield. As a quantitative trait, grain size is predominantly and tightly controlled by genetic factors. Several quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for grain size have been molecularly identified and characterized. These QTLs may act in independent genetic pathways and, along with other identified genes for grain size, are mainly involved in the signaling pathways mediated by proteasomal degradation, phytohormones, and G proteins to regulate cell proliferation and cell elongation. Many of these QTLs and genes have been strongly selected for enhanced rice productivity during domestication and breeding. These findings have paved new ways for understanding the molecular basis of grain size and have substantial implications for genetic improvement of crops.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Plant Gene Research Center, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; email: jyli@genetics.ac.cn.
authors.forename: Jianru
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zuo
authors.forename: Jiayang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways / Q000235:genetics; D012275:Oryza / Q000235:genetics*; D010641:Phenotype; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci / Q000235:genetics*
keywords: Oryza sativa L.; domestication; grain size; grain weight; quantitative trait loci; rice