Analysis of TAW1 that regulates inflorescence development in rice

Abstract

The timing of meristem transition from the panicle branch meristem to the spikelet meristem is crucial in the control of inflorescence architecture in rice. Molecular mechanisms of this transition have begun to be understood. Here, we report a new gene, TAWAWA1 (TAW1) that negatively controls meristem transition in inflorescence development. The taw1-D mutation inherited in a semi-dominant manner. The taw1-D allele contained an insertion of nDart1 transposon. It was presented in the 0.7kb downstream of the 3 ^,UTR of TAW1 . This insertion caused an increase of TAW1 mRNA level. TAW1 mRNA accumulation was decreased from shoot apical meristem to branch meristem. These suggest that the change to spikelet meristem identity in taw1-D is delayed depending on the TAW1 expression level. It is interesting to know how complexes consisting of TAW1 regulate meristem transition in rice inflorescence.