The apocarotenoid metabolite zaxinone regulates growth and strigolactone biosynthesis in rice

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08461-1
• Publication Date: 2019-02-18T11:03:22Z
• Authors: Jian You Wang; Imran Haider; Muhammad Jamil; Valentina Fiorilli; Yoshimoto Saito; Jianing Mi; Lina Baz; Boubacar A. Kountche; Kun-Peng Jia; Xiujie Guo; Aparna Balakrishna; Valentine O. Ntui; Beate Reinke; Veronica Volpe; Takashi Gojobori; Ikram Blilou; Luisa Lanfranco; Paola Bonfante; Salim Al-Babili
• Keywords: Strigolactone; Parasitic plant; Plant hormone

Abstract Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs) form hormones and signaling molecules. Here we show that a member of an overlooked plant CCD subfamily from rice, name Zaxinone Synthase (ZAS), can produce zaxinone, novel apocarotenoid metabolite in vitro. Loss-of-function mutants ( zas ) contain less exhibit retarded growth showed elevated levels strigolactones (SLs), hormone determines architecture, mediates mycorrhization facilitates infestation by root parasitic weeds, such as Striga spp. Application zaxinone rescue phenotypes, decrease SL content release promote wild-type seedlings. In conclusion, is key regulator rice development biotic interactions has potential for increasing crop combating , severe threat to global food security.