扬大团队发现控制垩白的关键基因

Core Insights - A breakthrough study by a research team at Yangzhou University has identified a key gene, Chalk9, that controls the formation of chalkiness in rice, which is crucial for both yield and quality [1][2] - The presence of chalkiness, characterized by opaque spots on rice grains, significantly affects the market value of rice, with a 1% reduction in chalkiness leading to a price increase of 0.8% to 1.2% [1] - The research provides a new molecular breeding paradigm to address the conflict between high yield and quality in rice production [1] Group 1: Research Findings - The research team constructed a core indica rice germplasm resource library and utilized whole-genome association analysis to pinpoint the Chalk9 gene [1] - Chalk9 encodes an E3 ubiquitin ligase that regulates the protein stability of the OsEBP89 transcription factor, ensuring synchronized synthesis of starch and protein [1] - A significant discovery was made in the promoter region of the Chalk9 gene, where a 64-base pair insertion/deletion variant was found, leading to a version of the gene (Chalk9-L) that reduces chalkiness without affecting yield [1] Group 2: Implications for Rice Breeding - Approximately 30% of globally cultivated indica rice varieties lack the beneficial Chalk9-L allele, indicating a substantial opportunity for molecular breeding to enhance rice quality [2] - The findings not only provide new insights into the molecular basis of rice quality formation but also offer directly usable genetic resources for future breeding efforts [2] - The potential to improve both yield and quality in rice through the application of this research is significant, presenting a promising avenue for agricultural advancements [2]