Rice actin binding protein RMD controls crown root angle in response to external phosphate

Guoqiang Huang, Wanqi Liang, Craig J. Sturrock, Bipin K. Pandey, Jitender Giri, Stefan Mairhofer, Daoyang Wang, Lukas Muller, Hexin Tan, Larry M. York, Jing Yang, Yu Song, Yu-Jin Kim, Yang Qiao, Jian Xu, Stefan Kepinski, Malcolm J. Bennett () and Dabing Zhang ()
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Guoqiang Huang: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Wanqi Liang: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Craig J. Sturrock: University of Nottingham, Loughborough Leicstershire
Bipin K. Pandey: University of Nottingham, Loughborough Leicstershire
Jitender Giri: University of Nottingham, Loughborough Leicstershire
Stefan Mairhofer: University of Nottingham, Loughborough Leicstershire
Daoyang Wang: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Lukas Muller: University of Nottingham, Loughborough Leicstershire
Hexin Tan: Second Military Medical University
Larry M. York: University of Nottingham, Loughborough Leicstershire
Jing Yang: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Yu Song: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Yu-Jin Kim: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Yang Qiao: Huazhong Agricultural University
Jian Xu: National University of Singapore
Stefan Kepinski: University of Leeds
Malcolm J. Bennett: University of Nottingham, Loughborough Leicstershire
Dabing Zhang: Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Root angle has a major impact on acquisition of nutrients like phosphate that accumulate in topsoil and in many species; low phosphate induces shallower root growth as an adaptive response. Identifying genes and mechanisms controlling root angle is therefore of paramount importance to plant breeding. Here we show that the actin-binding protein Rice Morphology Determinant (RMD) controls root growth angle by linking actin filaments and gravity-sensing organelles termed statoliths. RMD is upregulated in response to low external phosphate and mutants lacking of RMD have steeper crown root growth angles that are unresponsive to phosphate levels. RMD protein localizes to the surface of statoliths, and rmd mutants exhibit faster gravitropic response owing to more rapid statoliths movement. We conclude that adaptive changes to root angle in response to external phosphate availability are RMD dependent, providing a potential target for breeders.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04710-x

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