Targeted mutation of transcription factor genes alters metaxylem vessel size and number in rice roots.

ABSTRACT: Root metaxylem vessels are responsible for axial water transport and contribute to hydraulic architecture. Variation in metaxylem vessel size and number can impact drought tolerance in crop plants, including rice, a crop that is particularly sensitive to drought. Identifying and validating candidate genes for metaxylem development would aid breeding efforts for improved varieties for drought tolerance. We identified three transcription factor candidate genes that potentially regulate metaxylem vessel size and number in rice based on orthologous annotations, published expression data, and available root and drought-related QTL data. Single gene knockout mutants were generated for each candidate using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. Root metaxylem vessel area and number were analyzed in 6-week-o

SUBMITTER: Reeger JE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8204146 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature