Integrating GWAS, RNA-Seq and functional analysis revealed that BnaA02.SE mediates silique elongation by affecting cell proliferation and expansion in Brassica napus.

Rapeseed (Brassica napus) silique is the major carbohydrate source for seed development, and the final silique length has attracted great attention from breeders. However, no studies had focused on the dynamic character of silique elongation length (SEL). Here, the dynamic SEL investigation in a natural population including 588 lines over two years indicate that dynamic SEL during 0-20 days after flowering was the most essential stage associated with seed number per silique (SPS) and thousand seed weight (TSW). Then, nine loci were identified to be associated with SEL based on GWAS analysis, among which five SNPs (over 50%) distributed on the A02 chromosome within 6.08 to 6.48 Mb. Subsequently, we screened 5078 differentially expressed genes between two extreme materials. An unknown protein, BnaA02.SE, was identified combining with GWAS and RNA-Seq analysis. Subcellular localization and expression profiles analysis demonstrated that BnaA02.SE is a chloroplast- and nucleus-localized protein mainly expressed in pericarps and leaves. Furthermore, transgenic verification and dynamic cytological observation reveal that overexpressed BnaA02.SE can promote silique elongation by regulating JA and IAA contents, affecting cell proliferation and expansion, respectively, and finally enhance seed yield by influencing SPS and TSW. Haplotype analysis reveal that the homologs of BnaA02.SE may also be involved in silique elongation regulation. Our findings provided comprehensive insights into a newly SEL trait, and cloned the first gene (BnaA02.SE) controlling silique elongation in B. napus. The identified BnaA02.SE and its homologs can offer a valuable target for improving B. napus yield.