Ectopic Expressions of the <i>GhLETM1</i> Gene Reveal Sensitive Dose Effects on Precise Stamen Development and Male Fertility in Cotton

The homologous leucine zipper/EF-hand-containing transmembranes (LETMs) are highly conserved across a broad range of eukaryotic organisms. The LETM functional characteristics involved in biological process have been identified primarily in animals, but little is known about the LETM biological funct...

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Main Authors: Li Zhang, Yao Zhang, Yijie Fan, Haixia Guo, Huihui Guo, Jianfei Wu, Hongmei Wang, Yunlei Zhao, Xin Lian, Zhongyuan Gou, Yuxiao Sun, Congcong Zheng, Cuixia Chen, Fanchang Zeng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-07-01
Series:Genes
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/11/7/772
Description
Summary:The homologous leucine zipper/EF-hand-containing transmembranes (LETMs) are highly conserved across a broad range of eukaryotic organisms. The LETM functional characteristics involved in biological process have been identified primarily in animals, but little is known about the LETM biological function mode in plants. Based on the results of the current investigation, the <i>GhLETM1</i> gene crucially affects filament elongation and anther dehiscence of the stamen in cotton. Both excessive and lower expression of the <i>GhLETM1</i> gene lead to defective stamen development, resulting in shortened filaments and indehiscent anthers with pollen abortion. The results also showed that the phenotype of the shortened filaments was negatively correlated with anther defects in the seesaw model under the ectopic expression of <i>GhLETM1</i>. Moreover, our results notably indicated that the gene requires accurate expression and exhibits a sensitive dose effect for its proper function. This report has important fundamental and practical significance in crop science, and has crucial prospects for genetic engineering of new cytoplasmic male sterility lines and breeding of crop hybrid varieties.
ISSN:2073-4425