Analysis of SHL2 and SHO1 genes which are necessary for the establishment and maintenance of shoot apical meristem in rice.

Abstract

To elucidate the mechanisms of establishment and maintenance of shoot apical meristem (SAM), we analyzed the function of SHOOTLESS2 (SHL2) and SHOOT ORGANIZATION1 (SHO1) genes in rice. shl2 and sho1 mutants are defective in the formation of functional SAM during embryogenesis. shl2 mutant is defective in the formation of SAM. The SAM in sho1 is flat shaped and has fewer indeterminate cells than wild type. The formation of this defective SAM is thought to cause the abnormal morphologies of leaves and much shorter plastochron in sho1.
Positional clonings of SHL2 and SHO1 genes revealed that both genes encode the components of the machinery of RNA interference (RNAi). Recently, it has been reported that RNAi related mechanism is used to regulate the development through the production of endogenous small RNA called microRNA (miRNA). In this presentation, we will report the roles of SHL2 and SHO1 in the production of miRNA.