Mechanisms of hybridization barriers in rice endosperm

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Correlative gene system: establishing next-generation genetics
• Project/Area Number: 23113003
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Biological Sciences
• Research Institution: Yokohama City University (2014-2016); Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology (2012-2013); Nara Institute of Science and Technology (2011)
• Principal Investigator: Kinoshita tetsu 横浜市立大学, 木原生物学研究所, 教授 (60342630)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 河邊 昭 京都産業大学, 公私立大学の部局等, 准教授 (10582405)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: エピジェネティクス / イネ / 胚乳 / シロイヌナズナ / 生殖隔離機構 / ゲノムインプリンティング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In plants, the endosperm is a site for hybridization barrier, where maternally- and paternally derived genomes have distinct roles for their development.
Classical studies predicted that the maternal genome represses endosperm growth and the paternal genome promote it. In this study, we conducted detailed analyses of the hybrid endosperms in interspecific or interploidy cross of rice or combination of those (Plant J. 2011, 2013, and in preparation). These analysis revealed that developmental transition under the control of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) is a key determinant for this phenomena. We also identified several components for DNA demethylation that is required for activation of imprinted genes in Arabidopsis thaliana (Dev Cell 2011, New Phytologist 2013, PNAS 2014).

Free Research Field

植物分子遺伝学