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Molecular characterization of mature pollen-specific genes encoding novel small cysteine-rich proteins in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

  • Genetics and Genomics
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Abstract

In our previous cDNA microarray analysis, we identified 53 mature anther-specific genes, whose function was unknown, in rice. We reanalyzed these genes from the viewpoint of the specific amino acid motif. Out of 53 genes, three genes, Os-26, Os-32, and Os-169 (renamed as OsSCP1, OsSCP2, and OsSCP3), encoded cysteine-rich motif (Cys-X3-Cys-X13-Cys-X3-Cys), indicating that they were novel small cysteine-rich proteins. From the search of specific elements in promoter regions, several pollen-specific elements were found. In order to determine whether three promoters were functional in pollen or not, the gene constructs with promoter regions fused to the β-glucuronidase gene were transformed into tobacco. Histochemical analysis showed that these promoters were active in the mature pollen grains and pollen tubes. Furthermore, OsSCP1 and OsSCP3 formed a multigene family tandemly in the rice genome. From the results, OsSCPs might have important roles in mature pollen development and pollen tube growth.

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Abbreviations

GUS:

β-glucuronidase

OsSCPs:

Oryza sativa small cysteine-rich proteins

RT-PCR:

reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported in part by a grant from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (Rice Genome Project MA-2211), and Grants-in-Aid for the 21 Century Center of Excellence Program from the Japan Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS) to MW. The authors are grateful to Ayako Chiba, Yukiko Ohyama, and Hiroyuki Ishikawa (Iwate University) for technical assistance. The authors also thank Ryo Tsuwamoto and Tomohiro Kakizaki (Iwate University) for providing pBI-GSH binary vector and for their helpful discussions. ME, HH, and YT are the recipients of a Research Fellowship of the JSPS for Young Scientists

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Author notes

  1. Hitoshi Ito

    Present address: Fukushima Meisei High School, Fukushima, 960-1192, Japan

  2. Masanori Uchida

    Present address: Fukushima Prefecture Agricultural College, Yabuki, 969-0292, Japan

  3. Tomihiro Okabe

    Present address: Higashi Shirakawa Agricultural High School, Tanakura, 963-6131, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka, 020-8550, Japan

    Jong-In Park, Hirokazu Hakozaki, Makoto Endo, Hitoshi Ito, Masanori Uchida & Tomihiro Okabe

  2. Laboratory of Plant Reproductive Genetics, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8577, Japan

    Hirokazu Hakozaki, Makoto Endo & Masao Watanabe

  3. Division of Natural Science, Osaka Kyoiku University, Kashiwara, 582-8582, Japan

    Yoshinobu Takada

  4. The 21st Century Center of Excellence Program, Iwate University, Morioka, 020-8550, Japan

    Masao Watanabe

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  1. Jong-In Park
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Correspondence to Masao Watanabe.

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Communicated by K. Toriyama

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Park, JI., Hakozaki, H., Endo, M. et al. Molecular characterization of mature pollen-specific genes encoding novel small cysteine-rich proteins in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Plant Cell Rep 25, 466–474 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-005-0077-2

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