Rice OsPUB16 modulates the 'SAPK9-OsMADS23-OsAOC' pathway to reduce plant water-deficit tolerance by repressing ABA and JA biosynthesis.

Ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis plays crucial roles in plant responses to environmental stress. However, the mechanism by which E3 ubiquitin ligases modulate plant stress response still needs to be elucidated. In this study, we found that rice PLANT U-BOX PROTEIN 16 (OsPUB16), a U-box E3 ubiquitin ligase, negatively regulates rice drought response.