Functional divergence and characterization of the HOTHEAD gene family in rice.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The HOTHEAD (HTH) gene family, belonging to the Glucose-Methanol-Choline oxidase superfamily, regulates long-chain fatty acid redox metabolism and influences plant male reproductive development. However, a systematic characterization of HTH genes in rice (Oryza sativa) remains unexplored. Here, we identified seven rice HTH genes (OsHTH1-OsHTH7) and classified them into two subfamilies via phylogenetic analysis. RT-PCR demonstrated anther-preferential expression of OsHTH1, OsHTH3, and OsHTH7, while subcellular localization indicated their distribution in the cytoplasm and endoplasmic reticulum. CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knockout experiments revealed distinct phenotypes: oshth1 mutants exhibited semi-sterility, oshth5 mutation caused seedling lethality, and oshth3 and oshth7

SUBMITTER: Liu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12309059 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature