Rice THIN CULM 4 (TC4) Modulates Culm Strength by Regulating Morphology, Structure, and Development

Ran Zhou; Chenbo Huang; Xiaoxia Wen; Zhihao Sun; Wei Dong; Yuyu Chen; Nuan Huang; Han Zhang; Haihan Su; Yanhui Li; Zequn Peng; Yingxin Zhang; Liyong Cao; Shihua Cheng; Xiaodeng Zhan; Lianping Sun; Daibo Chen

doi:10.1016/j.plantsci.2024.112375

Rice THIN CULM 4 (TC4) Modulates Culm Strength by Regulating Morphology, Structure, and Development

Plant Sci. 2025 Jan 10:112375. doi: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2024.112375. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Ran Zhou¹, Chenbo Huang¹, Xiaoxia Wen², Zhihao Sun², Wei Dong³, Yuyu Chen⁴, Nuan Huang¹, Han Zhang², Haihan Su¹, Yanhui Li², Zequn Peng², Yingxin Zhang², Liyong Cao¹, Shihua Cheng², Xiaodeng Zhan⁵, Lianping Sun⁶, Daibo Chen⁷

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory for Zhejiang Super Rice Research, Chinese National Center for Rice Improvement and Stat Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, China National Rice Research Institute, HangZhou, Zhejiang, 311402, China; National Nanfan Research Institute of CAAS, Sanya, Hainan, 572024, China.
² Key Laboratory for Zhejiang Super Rice Research, Chinese National Center for Rice Improvement and Stat Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, China National Rice Research Institute, HangZhou, Zhejiang, 311402, China.
³ Key Laboratory for Zhejiang Super Rice Research, Chinese National Center for Rice Improvement and Stat Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, China National Rice Research Institute, HangZhou, Zhejiang, 311402, China; Institute of Food Crops, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650051, China.
⁴ Key Laboratory for Zhejiang Super Rice Research, Chinese National Center for Rice Improvement and Stat Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, China National Rice Research Institute, HangZhou, Zhejiang, 311402, China; Department of Resources and Environment, Moutai Institute, Renhuai, 564507, China.
⁵ Key Laboratory for Zhejiang Super Rice Research, Chinese National Center for Rice Improvement and Stat Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, China National Rice Research Institute, HangZhou, Zhejiang, 311402, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁶ Key Laboratory for Zhejiang Super Rice Research, Chinese National Center for Rice Improvement and Stat Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, China National Rice Research Institute, HangZhou, Zhejiang, 311402, China; National Nanfan Research Institute of CAAS, Sanya, Hainan, 572024, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁷ Key Laboratory for Zhejiang Super Rice Research, Chinese National Center for Rice Improvement and Stat Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, China National Rice Research Institute, HangZhou, Zhejiang, 311402, China. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 39800115
DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2024.112375

Abstract

Culm strength is crucial for rice growth, nutrition transportation, and structural resilience, which are essential for lodging resistance and stable production. In this study, we identified a rice thin culm mutant tc4, characterized by thinner culms and thicker cavity walls, resulting in weakened culm mechainical strength. Using map-based cloning, the candidate gene was isolated, and complementation and CRISPR/Cas9 experiments confirmed that a single nucleotide substitution in TC4 is responsible for the thin and brittle culm phenotype. TC4, a homolog of the FLORICAULA/LEAFY gene, localizes to the nucleus and cytoplasm. Further research revealed that TC4 regulates culm development by influencing plant hormones and sugar transport. This research not only advances our understanding of rice culm regulation, but also provides valuable insights for breeding lodging-resistant rice varieties.

Keywords: TC4; culm development; culm mechanical strength; lodging resistance; rice.