7月下旬，一场关乎稻米产量和品质的"隐形较量"，正在每一粒稻谷内部悄然上演——是粒粒晶莹剔 透，还是会出现恼人的"垩白"？垩白，表现为稻米上不透明的斑块，是稻米胚乳在发育过程中，淀粉颗 粒与蛋白质基质合成节奏失衡所导致的结构性缺陷，是影响稻米外观品质的重要因素。 □ 本报记者叶真 水稻垩白的形成，是一个复杂的系统工程。"淀粉与蛋白质作为这一过程的两大主角，其合成速率必须 严丝合缝、高度协同，"论文第一作者，扬州大学农学院教师胡智介绍，"一旦节奏失控，一方慢了半拍 或快了半步，籽粒内部就会形成垩白区域。" 然而，这个庞大生物过程的总"指挥"是谁？背后的分子开关在哪？为了寻找答案，团队开始"大海捞 针"。"首先我们构建了一个核心籼稻种质资源库，之后通过全基因组关联分析、标记筛选位点等方法， 锁定了关键基因Chalk9。"胡智解释，他们通过进一步分子试验发现，该基因编码一种E3泛素连接酶， 通过调控OsEBP89转录因子的蛋白稳态，确保淀粉与蛋白质合成"同频共振"。"具体来说，当Chalk9基 因功能减弱，OsEBP89蛋白就会积累更多，就会出现垩白。" 在深入解析Chalk9过程中，研究人员还发现了一个振奋人心的 ...

Core Insights - The research team led by academician Wan Jianmin has identified a new gene, ELD1, that specifically regulates the heading date of rice under long-day conditions, which is crucial for breeding high-yield, high-quality, and widely adaptable rice varieties [1][2] - The study reveals that the ELD1 gene can significantly promote heading without causing obvious agronomic defects, indicating its potential for molecular breeding applications [2] Group 1: Gene Discovery and Mechanism - The ELD1 gene regulates the mRNA splicing of the core biological clock gene OsCCA1, affecting the heading date of rice [1] - The research indicates that shorter light exposure leads to faster heading and earlier maturity in rice [1] - ELD1 interacts with OsNKAP protein and multiple core mRNA splicing factors, influencing the splicing of thousands of genes across the genome [1] Group 2: Implications for Breeding - The study provides a new mechanism for understanding how light signals regulate the heading date of rice, which is significant for molecular breeding [2] - The team utilized base editing technology to create targeted mutations in key amino acids of ELD1, resulting in new early-heading germplasm for high-quality rice varieties such as Ningjing 7 and Ningjing 4 [2] - This research offers important genetic resources and theoretical support for addressing the late maturity issues in hybrid rice breeding [2]

Group 1 - Huazhi Biotechnology Co., Ltd. is collaborating with Pakistan to transfer molecular breeding technology, aiming to establish a national-level molecular breeding joint laboratory in Pakistan [1][3] - A memorandum of understanding was signed among Huazhi Biotechnology, Beijing Jiaolong Technology Co., Ltd., and Hassan Trading Company for comprehensive cooperation in the field of molecular-assisted breeding [1] - The cooperation will involve sharing germplasm resource databases and utilizing Huazhi's "genotype-phenotype" big data platform to aggregate superior genes [1] Group 2 - The collaboration is expected to enhance Pakistan's agricultural system, enabling the cultivation of "future seeds" that are resilient to climate change, thereby significantly increasing food production and farmers' income [1][2] - Huazhi Biotechnology aims to help Pakistan overcome breeding bottlenecks through technology sharing and promote the international application of China's seed industry "chip" technology [2] - Huazhi Biotechnology is a national-level molecular breeding platform guided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, established in collaboration with leading seed companies [3]