OsSGL, a novel pleiotropic stress-related gene enhances grain length and yield in rice.

Abiotic stress seriously affects the yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Grain yield in rice is multiplicatively determined by the number of panicles, number of grains per panicle, and grain weight.

Plant abiotic stress-related RCI2/PMP3s: multigenes for multiple roles.

RCI2 / PMP3 s participate in abiotic stress responses and impact the expression of other genes. Their multifunctionality is determined by differential expression and by distinct activities of their structurally different proteins. In plants, RCI2/PMP3 genes, which encode small membrane proteins of the PMP3 family, are closely associated with abiotic stress responses.

Functional complementation of dwf4 mutants of Arabidopsis by overexpression of CYP724A1.

An essential step in the biosynthesis of bioactive brassinosteroids (BRs) in plants is the hydroxylation at C-22, a reaction catalyzed by P450 enzymes of the CYP90B and CYP724B subfamilies. Genes for both types of enzymes are present in many species, and in rice (Oryza sativa) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) both CYP90B and CYP724B enzymes contribute to C-22 hydroxylation. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), C-22 hydroxylation of BRs is catalyzed by CYP90B1 (encoded by DWF4) and null dwf4 mutants show severe symptoms of BR-deficiency.

A novel rice calmodulin-like gene, OsMSR2, enhances drought and salt tolerance and increases ABA sensitivity in Arabidopsis.

Many abiotic stimuli, such as drought and salt stresses, elicit changes in intracellular calcium levels that serve to convey information and activate adaptive responses. Ca²⁺ signals are perceived by different Ca²⁺ sensors, and calmodulin (CaM) is one of the best-characterized Ca²⁺ sensors in eukaryotes. Calmodulin-like (CML) proteins also exist in plants, but their functions at the physiological and molecular levels are largely unknown.

The Arabidopsis HOMOLOGY-DEPENDENT GENE SILENCING1 gene codes for an S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase required for DNA methylation-dependent gene silencing.

Genes introduced into higher plant genomes can become silent (gene silencing) and/or cause silencing of homologous genes at unlinked sites (homology-dependent gene silencing or HDG silencing). Mutations of the HOMOLOGY-DEPENDENT GENE SILENCING1 (HOG1) locus relieve transcriptional gene silencing and methylation-dependent HDG silencing and result in genome-wide demethylation. The hog1 mutant plants also grow slowly and have low fertility and reduced seed germination.