The OsmiR396c‐OsGRF4‐OsGIF1 regulatory module determines grain size and yield in rice

Summary Grain weight is the most important component of rice yield and is mainly determined by grain size, which is generally controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Although numerous QTLs that regulate grain weight have been identified, the genetic network that controls grain size remains unclear. Herein, we report the cloning and functional analysis of a dominant QTL, grain length and width 2 ( GLW2), which positively regulates grain weight by simultaneously increasing grain length and width. The GLW2 locus encodes OsGRF4 (growth‐regulating factor 4) and is regulated by the microRNA miR396c in vivo. The mutation in OsGRF4 perturbs the OsmiR396 target regulation of OsGRF4, generating a larger grain size and enhanced grain yield. We also demonstrate that OsGIF1 (GRF‐interacting factors 1) directly interacts with OsGRF4, and increasing its expression improves grain size. Our results suggest that the miR396c‐OsGRF4‐OsGIF1 regulatory module plays an important role in grain size determination and holds implications for rice yield improvement.

• Publication year

  2016

• Venue

  Plant Biotechnology Journal

• Publication date

  2016-05-17

• Fields of study

  Agricultural and Food Sciences, Medicine, Biology

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.1111/pbi.12569PMID 27107174PMCID 5095787
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar, PubMed

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

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