OsAAP6 functions as an important regulator of grain protein content and nutritional quality in rice

• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5847
• Publication Date: 2014-09-11T11:22:03Z
• Authors: Bo Peng; Huili Kong; Yibo Li; Lingqiang Wang; Ming Zhong; Liang Sun; Guanjun Gao; Qinglu Zhang; Lijun Luo; Gongwei Wang; Weibo Xie; Junxiao Chen; Wen Yao; Yong Peng; Lei Lei; Xingmin Lian; Jinghua Xiao; Caiguo Xu; Xianghua Li; Yuqing He
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 2. Zero hunger; Amino Acid Transport Systems; Base Sequence; Glutens; Molecular Sequence Data; Quantitative Trait Loci; Globulins; Oryza; Starch; Plant Roots; Article; 03 medical and health sciences; Albumins; Amino Acids; Plant Proteins; Prolamins

AbstractGrains from cereals contribute an important source of protein to human food, and grain protein content (GPC) is an important determinant of nutritional quality in cereals. Here we show that the quantitative trait locus (QTL)qPC1in rice controls GPC by regulating the synthesis and accumulation of glutelins, prolamins, globulins, albumins and starch.qPC1encodes a putative amino acid transporterOsAAP6, which functions as a positive regulator of GPC in rice, such that higher expression ofOsAAP6is correlated with higher GPC.OsAAP6greatly enhances root absorption of a range of amino acids and has effects on the distribution of various amino acids. Two common variations in the potentialcis-regulatory elements of theOsAAP65′-untranslated region seem to be associated with GPC diversity mainly inindicacultivars. Our results represent the first step toward unravelling the mechanism of regulation underlying natural variation of GPC in rice.