Heterotrimeric G Protein Involved in Regulating Multiple Agronomic Traits in Rice

Shenyang Agricultural University researchers used gene editing technology to investigate the effects of heterotrimeric G proteins on the regulation of yield components and stress tolerance in rice. The findings are published in BMC Plant Biology.

The heterotrimeric G protein complex, which is composed of Gα, Gβ, and Gγ subunits, are conserved signal transduction mechanism in eukaryotes. Molecular studies have shown that G protein signaling is linked to the regulation of yield-related traits but their involvement on yield components and stress tolerance are yet to be explained. Thus, Yue Cui and the team used CRISPR-Cas9 to generate heterotrimeric G protein mutants in rice and investigate the effects of the proteins on yield components and stress tolerance.

When compared to wild type, the mutants of gs3 and dep1 exhibited better agronomic traits while the mutants of rga1 were extremely dwarfed which caused a reduction in grain production. The mutants exhibited enhanced stress tolerance, especially under salinity treatment. Four putative extra-large G proteins (PXLG)1–4 were found to be linked to the regulation of yield components and stress tolerance.

The findings of the study will help in the application of heterotrimeric G proteins in rice improvement.

Read the research article in BMC Plant Biology.