Novel allelic variant of Lpa1 gene associated with a significant reduction in seed phytic acid content in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

PLoS One. 2019 Mar 14;14(3):e0209636. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209636. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

In plants, myo-inositol-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakisphosphate (InsP6), also known as phytic acid (PA), is a major component of organic phosphorus (P), and accounts for up to 85% of the total P in seeds. In rice (Oryza sativa L.), PA mainly accumulates in rice bran, and chelates mineral cations, resulting in mineral deficiencies among brown rice consumers. Therefore, considerable efforts have been focused on the development of low PA (LPA) rice cultivars. In this study, we performed genetic and molecular analyses of OsLpa1, a major PA biosynthesis gene, in Sanggol, a low PA mutant variety developed via chemical mutagenesis of Ilpum rice cultivar. Genetic segregation and sequencing analyses revealed that a recessive allele, lpa1-3, at the OsLpa1 locus (Os02g0819400) was responsible for a significant reduction in seed PA content in Sanggol. The lpa1-3 gene harboured a point mutation (C623T) in the fourth exon of the predicted coding region, resulting in threonine (Thr) to isoleucine (Ile) amino acidsubstitution at position 208 (Thr208Ile). Three-dimensional analysis of Lpa1 protein structure indicated that myo-inositol 3-monophosphate [Ins(3)P1] could bind to the active site of Lpa1, with ATP as a cofactor for catalysis. Furthermore, the presence of Thr208 in the loop adjacent to the entry site of the binding pocket suggests that Thr208Ile substitution is involved in regulating enzyme activity via phosphorylation. Therefore, we propose that Thr208Ile substitution in lpa1-3 reduces Lpa1 enzyme activity in Sanggol, resulting in reduced PA biosynthesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Genetic Variation
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Oryza / genetics
  • Oryza / growth & development*
  • Oryza / metabolism
  • Phytic Acid / biosynthesis*
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Quantitative Trait Loci
  • Seeds
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • Membrane Proteins
  • Plant Proteins
  • Phytic Acid

Grants and funding

This work was supported by a Grant from the Next-Generation BioGreen 21 Program (Plant Molecular Breeding Center number PJ013165), Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.