Abstract
Rice is important crop and used as a model plant for genome research. In order to isolate genes useful for molecular breeding of rice, we started large-scale analysis of rice genes using FOX Hunting System (full-length cDNA over-expressor gene hunting system) and Arabidopsis.
Wild type Arabidopsis accumulates proanthocyanindins and seed color is brown. Mutants of Arabidopsis in anthocyanin biosynthesis, transport of anthocyanin or regulation of these genes have pale brown or yellow seeds.
A plant with yellow seeds and the other with pale brown were isolated from FOX lines. Anthocyanin levels in leaves or stems and proanthocyanidin levels in seeds of these lines were lower than those of wild type. On the other hand, mRNA levels of genes involved in anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin biosynthesis were not lower significantly when they were compared to wild type. Analysis of both introduced genes and involvement of genes in anthocyanin accumulation was in progress.
