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Knockout of a starch synthase gene OsSSIIIa/Flo5 causes white-core floury endosperm in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

  • Physiology and Biochemistry
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Abstract

To elucidate the role of SSIIIa during starch synthesis in rice (Oryza sativa L.) endosperm, we characterized null mutants of this gene, generated by T-DNA insertions. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed that the starch granules in these mutants are smaller and rounder compared with the wild type controls, and that the mutant endosperm is characterized by a loosely packed central portion exhibiting a floury-like phenotype. Hence, the OsSSIIIa (Oryza sativa SSIIIa) mutations are referred to as white-core floury endosperm 5-1 (flo5-1) and flo5-2. Based upon their X-ray diffraction patterns, the crystallinity of the starch in the flo5 mutant endosperm is decreased compared with wild type. Through determination of the chain-length distribution of the mutant endosperm starch, we found that flo5-1 and flo5-2 mutants have reduced the content of long chains with degree of polymerization (DP) 30 or greater compared with the controls. This suggests that OsSSIIIa/Flo5 plays an important role in generating relatively long chains in rice endosperm. In addition, DP 6 to 8 and DP 16 to 20 appeared to be reduced in endosperm starch of flo5-1 and flo5-2, whereas DP 9 to 15 and DP 22 to 29 were increased in these mutants. By the use of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the gelatinization temperatures of endosperm starch were found to be 1–5°C lower than those of the control. We propose a distinct role for OsSSIIIa/Flo5 and the coordinated action of other SS isoforms during starch synthesis in the seed endosperm of rice.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported, in part, by grants from the SRC for the Plant Metabolism Research Center (PMRC), Korea Science and Engineering Foundation (KOSEF) Program; from the Biogreen 21 Program, Rural Development Administration; from the Crop Functional Genomic Center (CG1422), the 21 Century Frontier Program; and from the BK21 program, Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Metabolism Research Center and Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin , 446-701, Korea

    Nayeon Ryoo, Man-Ho Cho, Seong Hee Bhoo, Tae-Ryong Hahn & Jong-Seong Jeon

  2. Food Science and Biotechnology and Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, 446-701, Korea

    Chul Yu, Cheon-Seok Park & Moo-Yeol Baik

  3. Department of Food Science and Technology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA

    In Myoung Park

  4. Division of Molecular and Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 790-784, Korea

    Gynheung An

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  1. Nayeon Ryoo
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Correspondence to Jong-Seong Jeon.

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Communicated by J.R. Liu.

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Ryoo, N., Yu, C., Park, CS. et al. Knockout of a starch synthase gene OsSSIIIa/Flo5 causes white-core floury endosperm in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Plant Cell Rep 26, 1083–1095 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-007-0309-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-007-0309-8

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