Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) led by Prof. Wu Yuejin from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS) have cloned a novel gene responsible for glufosinate resistance in rice and conducted an in-depth analysis of the gene's functional characteristics.

The researchers subjected the rice seeds to heavy ion irradiation and later screened for resistance to glufosinate. Two individual rice plants, glr1 and glr2, showed resistance. The glr1 mutant showed significant resistance to glufosinate. Through map-based cloning and functional analysis, the researchers revealed that the GLR1 gene encodes ARF18, which belongs to the ARF family of auxin response factors.

The research team also found that GLR1/ARF18 could directly bind to the promoters of downstream genes, including OsGS1, OsCYP51G3, and OsCATA, consequently inhibiting their expression.

In the wild type, glufosinate treatment activated the GLR1 gene, resulting in the suppression of downstream genes associated with the clearance of ammonia and reactive oxygen species (ROS). When the GLR1 gene is mutated, its ability to inhibit the expression of relevant genes is impaired. When this happens, the proteins encoded by these genes remain active, facilitating the efficient clearance of accumulated ammonia and ROS, preventing plant damage and death.

For more details, read the article in the CAS Newsroom.