title: The mature anther-preferentially expressed genes are associated with pollen fertility, pollen germination and anther dehiscence in rice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The anthers and pollen grains are critical for male fertility and hybrid rice breeding. The development of rice mature anther and pollen consists of multiple continuous stages. However, molecular mechanisms regulating mature anther development were poorly understood.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study, we have identified 291 mature anther-preferentially expressed genes (OsSTA) in rice based on Affymetrix microarray data. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis indicated that OsSTA genes mainly participated in metabolic and cellular processes that are likely important for rice anther and pollen development. The expression patterns of OsSTA genes were validated using real-time PCR and mRNA in situ hybridizations. Cis-element identification showed that most of the OsSTA genes had the cis-elements responsive to phytohormone regulation. Co-expression analysis of OsSTA genes showed that genes annotated with pectinesterase and calcium ion binding activities were rich in the network, suggesting that OsSTA genes could be involved in pollen germination and anther dehiscence. Furthermore, OsSTA RNAi transgenic lines showed male-sterility and pollen germination defects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggested that OsSTA genes function in rice male fertility, pollen germination and anther dehiscence and established molecular regulating networks that lay the foundation for further functional studies.
authors.affiliation: College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China. lingshengkaka@163.com.
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.affiliation: College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China. 13260587853@163.com.
authors.forename: Caisheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China. 13072774897@163.com.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China. sunxiaocong2006@163.com.
authors.forename: Xiaocong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: College of Plant Science and technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China. loovy@webmail.hzau.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Zhanhua
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Center of Plant Gene Research (Wuhan), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China. diana1983941@mail.hzau.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Yidan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ouyang
authors.affiliation: College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China. yaojlmy@mail.hzau.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Jialing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yao
mesh_terms: D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics; D035264:Flowers / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D018525:Germination / Q000235:genetics*; D008540:Meiosis / Q000235:genetics; D012275:Oryza / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D011058:Pollen / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D054817:Pollination / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger