Action of multiple intra-QTL genes concerted around a co-localized transcription factor underpins a large effect QTL.
Sub-QTLs and multiple intra-QTL genes are hypothesized to underpin large-effect QTLs. Known QTLs over gene families, biosynthetic pathways or certain traits represent functional gene-clusters of genes of the same gene ontology (GO). Gene-clusters containing genes of different GO have not been elaborated, except in silico as coexpressed genes within QTLs. Here we demonstrate the requirement of multiple intra-QTL genes for the full impact of QTL qDTY12.1 on rice yield under drought. Multiple evidences are presented for the need of the transcription factor 'no apical meristem' (OsNAM12.1) and its co-localized target genes of separate GO categories for qDTY12.1 function, raising a regulon-like model of genetic architecture. The molecular underpinnings of qDTY12.1 support its effectiveness in further improving a drought tolerant genotype and for its validity in multiple genotypes/ecosystems/environments. Resolving the combinatorial value of OsNAM12.1 with individual intra-QTL genes notwithstanding, identification and analyses of qDTY12.1has fast-tracked rice improvement towards food security.
Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology Division, International Rice Research Institute, DAPO 7777, Metro Manila-1226, Philippines.
Shalabh
S
Dixit
Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology Division, International Rice Research Institute, DAPO 7777, Metro Manila-1226, Philippines.
Akshaya
A
Kumar Biswal
Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology Division, International Rice Research Institute, DAPO 7777, Metro Manila-1226, Philippines.
Aye
A
Min
Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology Division, International Rice Research Institute, DAPO 7777, Metro Manila-1226, Philippines.
Amelia
A
Henry
Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology Division, International Rice Research Institute, DAPO 7777, Metro Manila-1226, Philippines.
Rowena H
RH
Oane
Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology Division, International Rice Research Institute, DAPO 7777, Metro Manila-1226, Philippines.
Manish L
ML
Raorane
Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology Division, International Rice Research Institute, DAPO 7777, Metro Manila-1226, Philippines.
Toshisangba
T
Longkumer
Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology Division, International Rice Research Institute, DAPO 7777, Metro Manila-1226, Philippines.
Isaiah M
IM
Pabuayon
Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology Division, International Rice Research Institute, DAPO 7777, Metro Manila-1226, Philippines.
Sumanth K
SK
Mutte
Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology Division, International Rice Research Institute, DAPO 7777, Metro Manila-1226, Philippines.
Adithi R
AR
Vardarajan
Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology Division, International Rice Research Institute, DAPO 7777, Metro Manila-1226, Philippines.
Berta
B
Miro
Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology Division, International Rice Research Institute, DAPO 7777, Metro Manila-1226, Philippines.
Ganesan
G
Govindan
Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology Division, International Rice Research Institute, DAPO 7777, Metro Manila-1226, Philippines.
Blesilda
B
Albano-Enriquez
Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Corrensstrasse 03, 06466 Gatersleben, Germany.
Mandy
M
Pueffeld
Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology Division, International Rice Research Institute, DAPO 7777, Metro Manila-1226, Philippines.|Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Corrensstrasse 03, 06466 Gatersleben, Germany.
Nese
N
Sreenivasulu
Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology Division, International Rice Research Institute, DAPO 7777, Metro Manila-1226, Philippines.
Inez
I
Slamet-Loedin
Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, 128 Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan.
Kalaipandian
K
Sundarvelpandian
Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, 128 Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan.
Yuan-Ching
YC
Tsai
Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, 110021, India.
Saurabh
S
Raghuvanshi
Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, 128 Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan.
Yue-Ie C
YI
Hsing
Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology Division, International Rice Research Institute, DAPO 7777, Metro Manila-1226, Philippines.
Arvind
A
Kumar
Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology Division, International Rice Research Institute, DAPO 7777, Metro Manila-1226, Philippines.
Ajay
A
Kohli
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000235:genetics*; D055864:Droughts; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D063990:Gene Ontology; D017343:Genes, Plant; D012275:Oryza / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
D014157:Transcription Factors