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

Abstract

Summary 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 β‐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.

Rice OsHSFA3 Gene Improves Drought Tolerance by Modulating Polyamine Biosynthesis Depending on Abscisic Acid and ROS Levels

“…These results suggested that OsHSFA3-overexpressing plants had maintained ROS homeostasis and thus had lower oxidative damage. Enzymatic antioxidants play important roles in ROS scavenging for normal plant growth [13,38]. To estimate the ability of OsHSFA3-overexpressing Arabidopsis lines and WT to scavenge ROS, the activities of antioxidant enzymes, i.e., SOD, POD and CAT, were measured.…”

“…ABA levels were significantly higher in drought-stressed plants as compared to control plants ( Figure 5F). ABA content was higher in all transgenic lines than in WT plants after they were subjected to drought Enzymatic antioxidants play important roles in ROS scavenging for normal plant growth [13,38]. To estimate the ability of OsHSFA3-overexpressing Arabidopsis lines and WT to scavenge ROS, the activities of antioxidant enzymes, i.e., SOD, POD and CAT, were measured.…”

“…This over-accumulation of ROS causes oxidative stress to plants and damages various cellular organelles including the cell membrane [11,12]. It also leads to early senescence of leaves and other tissues via enhanced programmed cell death [11,13].…”

Individual and concurrent effects of drought and chilling stresses on morpho-physiological characteristics and oxidative metabolism of maize cultivars

“…Lipid peroxidation was determined as malondialdehyde (MDA) content, measured by thiobarbituric (TBA) method using 'MDA Detection Kit (A003)' as described previously [27].…”

“…The activities of enzymatic antioxidants were detected by using the commercial kits in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions as described earlier [27,28]. The kits for superoxide dismutase (A001), peroxidase (A084-3), catalase (A007-2), glutathione peroxidase (A005), glutathione reductase (A062), and glutathione S-transferase (A004) were purchased from the same company as mentioned above.…”