SSD1, which encodes a plant-specific novel protein, controls plant elongation by regulating cell division in rice

• Published in: Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B Vol. 86; no. 3; pp. 265 - 273
• Main Authors: ASANO, Kenji, MIYAO, Akio, HIROCHIKA, Hirohiko, KITANO, Hidemi, MATSUOKA, Makoto, ASHIKARI, Motoyuki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan The Japan Academy 2010
• Subjects: Amino Acid Sequence; Cell Division; Cell Shape; Cloning, Molecular; dwarf mutant; Freshwater; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Genes, Plant - genetics; Genetic Complementation Test; Molecular Sequence Data; Mutation - genetics; Oryza - anatomy & histology; Oryza - cytology; Oryza - genetics; Oryza - growth & development; Oryza sativa; Phylogeny; Plant Leaves - cytology; Plant Leaves - genetics; Plant Proteins - chemistry; Plant Proteins - genetics; Plant Proteins - metabolism; Plant Roots - anatomy & histology; Plant Roots - cytology; Plant Roots - genetics; plant-specific protein; Species Specificity; Japan, Kyushu, Oita Prefect., Beppu
• ISSN: 0386-2208; 1349-2896
• DOI: 10.2183/pjab.86.265

Plant height is one of the most important traits in crop improvement. Therefore revealing the mechanism of plant elongation and controlling plant height in accordance with breeding object is important. In this study we analyzed a novel dwarf mutant, ssd1, of which phenotype is different from typical GA- or BR-related dwarf phenotype. ssd1 exhibits pleiotropic defects in elongation of various organs such as stems, roots, leaves, and flowers. ssd1 also shows abnormal cell files and shapes, which suggests defects of normal cell division in the mutant. Map-based cloning and complementation test demonstrated that the dwarf phenotype in ssd1 mutant was caused by insertion of retrotransposon in a gene, which encodes plant-specific protein with unknown biochemical function. A BLAST search revealed that SSD1-like genes exist in diverse plant species, including monocots and dicots, but not fern and moss. Our results demonstrate that SSD1 controls plant elongation by controlling cell division in higher plants. (Communicated by Teruhiko BEPPU, M.J.A.)