title: Gene expression profiling of reproductive meristem types in early rice inflorescences by laser microdissection.
abstract: In rice, inflorescence architecture is established at early stages of reproductive development and contributes directly to grain yield potential. After induction of flowering, the complexity of branching, and therefore the number of seeds on the panicle, is determined by the activity of different meristem types and the timing of transitions between them. Although some of the genes involved in these transitions have been identified, an understanding of the network of transcriptional regulators controlling this process is lacking. To address this we used a precise laser microdissection and RNA-sequencing approach in Oryza sativa ssp. japonica cv. Nipponbare to produce quantitative data that describe the landscape of gene expression in four different meristem types: the rachis meristem, the primary branch meristem, the elongating primary branch meristem (including axillary meristems), and the spikelet meristem. A switch in expression profile between apical and axillary meristem types followed by more gradual changes during transitions in axillary meristem identity was observed, and several genes potentially involved in branching were identified. This resource will be vital for a mechanistic understanding of the link between inflorescence development and grain yield.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR DIADE, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394, Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: Thomas W R
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Harrop
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy.|Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Israr
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ud Din
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gregis
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Osnato
authors.affiliation: Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR DIADE, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394, Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jouannic
authors.affiliation: Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR DIADE, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394, Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Adam
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy.|Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Martin M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Kater
mesh_terms: D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D056626:Inflorescence / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D061346:Laser Capture Microdissection / Q000379:methods*; D018519:Meristem / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D046228:Microarray Analysis; D012275:Oryza / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012098:Reproduction; D012639:Seeds / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017423:Sequence Analysis, RNA
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins
keywords: RNA sequencing; inflorescence development; reproductive meristems; rice