Core Viewpoint - The discovery of a key gene regulating the heading date of rice is significant for breeding high-yield, high-quality, and widely adaptable rice varieties [1][2] Group 1: Gene Discovery and Mechanism - The research team cloned the ELD1 gene, which specifically regulates rice heading under long daylight conditions, and found it can influence the mRNA splicing of the core biological clock gene OsCCA1, affecting the heading date of rice [1] - The complete loss of ELD1 function leads to embryo death in rice, but specific amino acid mutations can significantly promote heading without obvious agronomic defects [1][2] Group 2: Light Signal Integration - The study reveals that rice, like humans, has a biological clock, and different rhythms can affect heading. ELD1 primarily influences the heading date through the OsCCA1-Hd1 pathway [2] - Light signals regulate ELD1 via the photoreceptor phyB, which in turn affects OsCCA1 and thus regulates the heading date of rice [2] Group 3: Implications for Breeding - The research provides breakthroughs in molecular breeding by using base editing technology to create targeted mutations in key amino acids of ELD1, paving the way for early heading new germplasm in excellent varieties like Ningjing 7 and Ningjing 4 [2] - This study offers important genetic resources and theoretical support for addressing the late maturity issues in hybrid F1 generations of indica and japonica rice, which is crucial for breeding adaptable new rice varieties [2]

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]

Core Insights - The research team led by Academician Wan Jianmin from Nanjing Agricultural University has made significant progress in regulating the heading date of rice, with findings published in Nature Communications on June 19 [1] Group 1: Research Findings - The heading date of rice is a critical trait that determines the adaptability of varieties to different regions and seasons, impacting yield and quality [1] - The team cloned a gene named Early Flowering at Long Day 1 (ELD1), which specifically regulates rice heading under long-day conditions [1][3] - ELD1 encodes a CCHC-type zinc finger protein responsible for "assembling" and "repairing" genes, and its manipulation can lead to early heading without affecting other growth indicators [1][3] Group 2: Molecular Mechanism - ELD1 interacts with OsNKAP and several core mRNA splicing factors, regulating alternative splicing of thousands of genes, particularly the core clock gene OsCCA1 [3] - The study reveals a novel mechanism by which light signals regulate the heading date of rice through alternative splicing, involving the interaction of ELD1 with the active form of phyB [3] Group 3: Implications for Breeding - The research provides important genetic resources and theoretical support for addressing the late maturity issue in hybrid rice, particularly for indica-japonica hybrids [4] - The successful breeding of early heading new germplasm using base editing technology on ELD1 highlights a new paradigm for the application of essential genes in plant breeding [3][4]