Crop Biotech Update

Researchers Characterize Brassinosteroid Biosynthesis Genes in Rice

October 5, 2022

Nanjing Agricultural University researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology and characterized functional brassinosteroid biosynthesis genes in rice. The findings of their study are published in Plant Science.

CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC DWARF (CPD) is a vital component in the brassinosteroids (BRs) biosynthesis pathway. Previous studies have shown that Arabidopsis has a single CDP gene, while two CPDs (OsCPD1 and OsCPD2) are present in the rice genome. However, no genetic evidence has been found about the requirement of OsCPD1 and OsCPD2 in rice BR biosynthesis. This led the researchers to define the role of OsCPD genes in BR formation.

The researchers constructed single and double mutants of OsCPD genes using the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing tool. Results showed that double mutants develop multiple and obvious brassinosteroid-related defects. Furthermore, overexpression of OsCPD1 and OsCPD2 led to a typical brassinosteroid enhanced phenotype.

The findings provide genetic evidence that OsCPD1 and OsCPD2 play essential and redundant roles in maintaining plant architecture by modulating BR biosynthesis in rice.

Read more from Plant Science.


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