Sucrose promotes D53 accumulation and tillering in rice.

Shoot branching is regulated by multiple signals. Previous studies have indicated that sucrose may promote shoot branching through suppressing the inhibitory effect of the hormone strigolactone (SL). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect are unknown. Here, we used molecular and genetic tools to identify the molecular targets underlying the antagonistic interaction between sucrose and SL. We showed that sucrose antagonizes the suppressive action of SL on tillering in rice and on the degradation of D53, a major target of SL signalling. Sucrose inhibits the gene expression of D3, the orthologue of the Arabidopsis F-box MAX2 required for SL signalling. Overexpression of D3 antagonizes sucrose inhibition of D53 degradation and enables the SL inhibition of tillering under high sucrose. Sucrose prevents SL-induced degradation of D14, the SL receptor involved in D53 degradation. In contrast to D3, D14 overexpression enhances D53 protein levels and sucrose-induced tillering, even in the presence of SL. Our results show that sucrose inhibits SL response by affecting key components of SL signalling and, together with previous studies reporting the inhibition of SL synthesis by nitrate and phosphate, demonstrate the central role played by SLs in the regulation of plant architecture by nutrients.

Integration of the SMXL/D53 strigolactone signalling repressors in the model of shoot branching regulation in Pisum sativum.

DWARF53 (D53) in rice (Oryza sativa) and its homologs in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), SUPPRESSOR OF MAX2-LIKE 6 (SMXL6), SMXL7 and SMXL8, are well established negative regulators of strigolactone (SL) signalling in shoot branching regulation. Little is known of pea (Pisum sativum) homologs and whether D53 and related SMXLs are specific to SL signalling pathways. Here, we identify two allelic pea mutants, dormant3 (dor3), and demonstrate through gene mapping and sequencing that DOR3 corresponds to a homolog of D53 and SMXL6/SMXL7, designated PsSMXL7. Phenotype analysis, gene expression, protein and hormone quantification assays were performed to determine the role of PsSMXL7 in regulation of bud outgrowth and the role of PsSMXL7 and D53 in integrating SL and cytokinin (CK) responses. Like D53 and related SMXLs, we show that PsSMXL7 can be degraded by SL and induces feedback upregulation of PsSMXL7 transcript. Here we reveal a system conserved in pea and rice, whereby CK also upregulates PsSMXL7/D53 transcripts, providing a clear mechanism for SL and CK cross-talk in the regulation of branching. To further deepen our understanding of the branching network in pea, we provide evidence that SL acts via PsSMXL7 to modulate auxin content via PsAFB5, which itself regulates expression of SL biosynthesis genes. We therefore show that PsSMXL7 is key to a triple hormone network involving an auxin-SL feedback mechanism and SL-CK cross-talk.

Narrow Leaf21, encoding ribosomal protein RPS3A, controls leaf development in rice.

Leaf morphology influences photosynthesis, transpiration, and ultimately crop yield. However, the molecular mechanism of leaf development is still not fully understood. Here, we identified and characterized the narrow leaf21 (nal21) mutant in rice (Oryza sativa), showing a significant reduction in leaf width, leaf length and plant height, and increased tiller number. Microscopic observation revealed defects in the vascular system and reduced epidermal cell size and number in the nal21 leaf blade. Map-based cloning revealed that NAL21 encodes a ribosomal small subunit protein RPS3A. Ribosome-targeting antibiotics resistance assay and ribosome profiling showed a significant reduction in the free 40S ribosome subunit in the nal21 mutant. The nal21 mutant showed aberrant auxin responses in which multiple auxin response factors (ARFs) harboring upstream open-reading frames (uORFs) in their 5'-untranslated region were repressed at the translational level. The WUSCHEL-related homeobox 3A (OsWOX3A) gene, a key transcription factor involved in leaf blade lateral outgrowth, is also under the translational regulation by RPS3A. Transformation with modified OsARF11, OsARF16, and OsWOX3A genomic DNA (gDNA) lacking uORFs rescued the narrow leaf phenotype of nal21 to a better extent than transformation with their native gDNA, implying that RPS3A could regulate translation of ARFs and WOX3A through uORFs. Our results demonstrate that proper translational regulation of key factors involved in leaf development is essential to maintain normal leaf morphology.

DEGENERATED PANICLE AND PARTIAL STERILITY 1 (DPS1) encodes a cystathionine ß-synthase domain containing protein required for anther cuticle and panicle development in rice.

Degeneration of apical spikelets and reduced panicle fertility are common reasons for low seed-setting rate in rice (Oryza sativa). However, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms. Here, we report a novel degenerated panicle and partial sterility 1 (dps1) mutant that showed panicle apical degeneration and reduced fertility in middle spikelets. dps1 plants were characterized by small whitish anthers with altered cuticle morphology and absence of pollen grains. Amounts of cuticular wax and cutin were significantly reduced in dps1 anthers. Panicles of dps1 plants showed an accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lower antioxidant activity, and increased programmed cell death. Map-based cloning revealed that DPS1 encodes a mitochondrial-localized protein containing a cystathionine ß-synthase domain that showed the highest expression in panicles and anthers. DPS1 physically interacted with mitochondrial thioredoxin proteins Trx1 and Trx20, and it participated in ROS scavenging. Global gene expression analysis in dps1 revealed that biological processes related to fatty acid metabolism and ROS homeostasis were significantly affected, and the expression of key genes involved in wax and cutin biosynthesis were downregulated. These results suggest that DPS1 plays a vital role in regulating ROS homeostasis, anther cuticle formation, and panicle development in rice.

UBIQUITIN-SPECIFIC PROTEASES function in plant development and stress responses.

KEY MESSAGE: UBIQUITIN-SPECIFIC PROTEASES play important roles in plant development and stress responses. Protein ubiquitination and deubiquitination are reversible processes, which can modulate the stability, activity as well as subcellular localization of the substrate proteins. UBIQUITIN-SPECIFIC PROTEASE (UBP) protein family participates in protein deubiquitination. Members of UBP family are involved in a variety of physiological processes in plants, as evidenced by their functional characterization in model plant Arabidopsis and other plants. UBPs are conserved in plants and distinct UBPs function in different regulatory processes, although functional redundancies exist between some members. Here we briefly reviewed recent advances in understanding the biological functions of UBP protein family in Arabidopsis, particularly the molecular mechanisms by which UBPs regulate plant development and stress responses. We believe that elucidation of UBPs function and regulation in Arabidopsis will provide new insights about protein deubiquitination and might shed light on the understanding of the mechanistic roles of UBPs in general, which will definitely contribute to crop improvement in agriculture.