Overexpression of OsEXPA8, a root-specific gene, improves rice growth and root system architecture by facilitating cell extension.

ABSTRACT: Expansins are unique plant cell wall proteins that are involved in cell wall modifications underlying many plant developmental processes. In this work, we investigated the possible biological role of the root-specific α-expansin gene OsEXPA8 in rice growth and development by generating transgenic plants. Overexpression of OsEXPA8 in rice plants yielded pleiotropic phenotypes of improved root system architecture (longer primary roots, more lateral roots and root hairs), increased plant height, enhanced leaf number and enlarged leaf size. Further study indicated that the average cell length in both leaf and root vascular bundles was enhanced, and the cell growth in suspension cultures was increased, which revealed the cellular basis for OsEXPA8-mediated rice plant growth acceleration. Expans

SUBMITTER: Ma N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3790854 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature