The Auxin Response Factor <i>OsARF25</i> Negatively Regulates Grain Size and Weight in Rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.) by Activating the Expression of <i>SG1</i> and <i>OsOFP04</i>

The Auxin Response Factor <i>OsARF25</i> Negatively Regulates Grain Size and Weight in Rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.) by Activating the Expression of <i>SG1</i> and <i>OsOFP04</i>

Grain size and grain weight are critical factors influencing crop yield. In rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.), the auxin response factor (OsARF) family proteins, key components of the auxin signaling pathway, function as transcription factors and play essential roles in regulating various pl...

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Main Authors: Xinrong Zhang, Yimeng Xu, Fengjun Xian, Shuya Liu, Jishuai Huang, Bin Xie, Jun Hu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Plants
Subjects:
OsARF25
grain size
grain weight
BR signaling pathway
rice
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/12/1808
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Summary:Grain size and grain weight are critical factors influencing crop yield. In rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.), the auxin response factor (OsARF) family proteins, key components of the auxin signaling pathway, function as transcription factors and play essential roles in regulating various plant growth and development processes, including seed development. Here, we identified that <i>Oryza sativa AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR 25</i> (<i>OsARF25</i>) plays an essential role in regulating grain size and grain weight by activating the expression of <i>SHORT GRAIN 1</i> (<i>SG1</i>) and <i>Oryza sativa OVATE FAMILY PROTEIN 04</i> (<i>OsOFP04</i>). The <i>osarf25</i> mutants showed larger grains with increased grain length, grain width, and 1000-grain weight. Furthermore, molecular evidence demonstrated that OsARF25 functions as a transcriptional activator. RNA-seq analysis further identified its target genes <i>SG1</i> and <i>OsOFP04</i>. In addition, OsARF25 directly binds to the promoters of <i>SG1</i> and <i>OsOFP04</i> and activates their expression. Further, the <i>osarf25</i> mutant exhibited enhanced sensitivity to brassinolide treatment, confirming that the targeting of <i>SG1</i> and <i>OsOFP04</i> by OsARF25 mediates BR signaling. Taken together, our study revealed that <i>OsARF25</i> functions as a regulator of grain length, grain width, and grain weight by participating in the BR signaling pathway, and it has potential value for molecular breeding in rice.
ISSN:2223-7747

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