OsPPR8, a pentatricopeptide repeat protein, regulates splicing of mitochondrial nad2 intron 3 to affect grain quality and high-temperature tolerance in rice.

Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins, a large family of plant proteins, play critical roles in regulating various biological functions. However, their contributions to rice grain quality and high-temperature (HT) tolerance remain poorly understood. In this study, we identified OsPPR8, a canonical P-type PPR protein characterized by eight PPR motifs.

Large Grain 2, an NHL Domain-Containing Protein, Interacts with FUWA and Regulates Plant Architecture and Grain Size Through the Brassinosteroid Signaling Pathway in Rice.

Plant architecture and grain size are critical traits for rice breeding. Brassinosteroid (BR), a class of plant hormones, regulates these traits by modulating cell elongation, division, and differentiation. Therefore, exploring BR-related genes to leverage their pleiotropic effects is crucial for crop improvement.