Abstract
Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is associated with a mitochondrial mutation that causes an inability to produce fertile pollen. The fertility of CMS plants is restored in the presence of a nuclear-encoded fertility restorer (Rf) gene. In Lead Rice-type CMS, discovered in the indica variety 'Lead Rice', fertility of the CMS plant is restored by the single nuclear-encoded gene Rf2 in a gametophytic manner. We performed map-based cloning of Rf2, and proved that it encodes a protein consisting of 152 amino acids with a glycine-rich domain. Expression of Rf2 mRNA was detected in developing and mature anthers. An RF2-GFP fusion was shown to be targeted to mitochondria. Replacement of isoleucine by threonine at amino acid 78 of the RF2 protein was considered to be the cause of functional loss in the rf2 allele. As Rf2 does not encode a pentatricopeptide repeat protein, unlike a majority of previously identified Rf genes, the data from this study provide new insights into the mechanism for restoring fertility in CMS.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 359-367 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Plant Journal |
Volume | 65 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2011 Feb |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Oryza sativa L
- cytoplasmic male sterility
- fertility restorer gene
- glycine-rich protein
- map-based cloning
- mitochondria
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Genetics
- Plant Science
- Cell Biology