Abstract:
Transcription factors are important for gene regulation system in both animals and plants as these factors control various development processes. The NAC (NAM, ATAF, and CUC2) transcription factors play an important role in vital diverse processes and responses to stress. In rice, six NAC transcription factors targeted by miR164 were designated as OMTN1-6. Among them, OMTN4 (LOC_Os06g46270) plays a role in causing negative effects on drought resistance. Bioinformatic information revealed that OMTN4 is a rice NAC1/ANAC021 analog gene. In this study, we conducted the gain-of-function of OMTN4 overexpression and expression analysis. The results suggested that OMTN4 plays a negative role in inflorescence fertility. β-glucuronidase (GUS) histochemical study revealed that OMTN4 was expressed in leaf, seed husk, stigma, and root. OMTN4 expression profile was in correspondence with GUS histochemical result. Subcellular localization demonstrated that OMTN4 was localized in the nucleus, which was consistent with the other NAC TFs. Partial seed sterile phenotype and expression profile suggested that, other than the negative effect on drought stress, OMTN4 plays a negative role on inflorescence development.