Pusan National University researchers shed light on the early development of rice seeds
They discovered an enzyme essential for the correct growth of endosperm in rice, paving the way to higher yields
Peer-Reviewed PublicationIMAGE: CTP SYNTHASE IS ESSENTIAL FOR EARLY ENDOSPERM DEVELOPMENT BY REGULATING NUCLEI SPACING view more
CREDIT: PUSAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Agriculture, particularly that involving grains, has always been a steadfast pillar of civilization. Our current understanding of plant biology and genetics has helped us greatly improve the quality and yield of crops through various techniques, some of them focusing on the complex processes involved in seed development.
The seeds of most flowering plants have two distinct structures: the embryo and the endosperm. The embryo cells are created during fertilization, whereas the endosperm constitutes a structural and nutrient-rich body that protects and supports the embryo. The endosperm accounts for most of the nutritional value of the harvest in cereals like rice; many genetic studies focus on how to control the accumulation of starch during the final stages of endosperm development. On the other hand, not much is known about the genes that orchestrate early endosperm development in rice.
A team of scientists led by Assistant Professor Lae-Hyeon Cho (ORCID ID: 0000-0003-4514-4107) of Pusan National University, Korea, recently conducted a study to fill part of this knowledge gap. In their work, which was published in Plant Biotechnology Journal, the team analyzed the genome of a rice plant mutant whose seeds contained no endosperm and an abnormally enlarged embryo.
They identified a single mutation in the gene that codes for cytidine triphosphate synthase (CTPS), an enzyme that helps produce some of the building blocks of DNA and RNA. They also clarified the relationship between CTPS and the endosperm. It turns out CTPS forms macromolecular structures during the early stages of endosperm development, helping endosperm cells migrate within the seed. The mutant, having an altered form of CTPS, failed to produce this supporting structure, and thus its seeds ended up being endosperm-less.
Most notably, the scientists also showed that overexpression of CTPS in genetically modified rice plants results in a larger endosperm. This opens up an avenue for fine-tuning the size ratio between endosperm and embryo. “Controlling the embryo and endosperm size determines the quantity and quality of the seeds,” explains Dr. Cho, “It is important to increase the size of the embryo in moderation while also increasing that of the endosperm.”
Overall, the newfound insight provided by the research team could lead to more fruitful rice plantations. “Early seed development in rice ultimately determines the number of cells in the seed and is closely related to yield,” highlights Dr. Cho, “Our study may pioneer the field of research on the early development of the endosperm and contribute to improving the quality of food crops in the future.” Let us hope further progress in this field helps make food more accessible to the whole world!
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Reference
Title of original paper: CTP synthase is essential for early endosperm development by regulating nuclei spacing
Journal: Plant Biotechnology Journal
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.13644
About Pusan National University
Pusan National University, located in Busan, South Korea, was founded in 1946, and is now the no. 1 national university of South Korea in research and educational competency. The multi-campus university also has other smaller campuses in Yangsan, Miryang, and Ami. The university prides itself on the principles of truth, freedom, and service, and has approximately 30,000 students, 1200 professors, and 750 faculty members. The university is composed of 14 colleges (schools) and one independent division, with 103 departments in all.
Website: https://www.pusan.ac.kr/eng/Main.do
About the author
Lae-Hyeon Cho is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Plant Bioscience in Pusan National University, Korea. His group studies the various developmental processes of rice, a staple food crop throughout the world. They also aim to establish a molecular model system of rice for coping with recent climate changes by studying the regulation of the flowering time in rice in various external environments. Dr. Cho received a PhD in Plant Molecular Genetics from Pohang University of Science and Technology, Korea, in 2008.
JOURNAL
Plant Biotechnology Journal
METHOD OF RESEARCH
Experimental study
SUBJECT OF RESEARCH
Cells
ARTICLE TITLE
CTP synthase is essential for early endosperm development by regulating nuclei spacing
ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE
30-May-2021
COI STATEMENT
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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