Chinese Journal OF Rice Science >
Identification and Functional Analysis of the Rice Vein Development Gene OsLVD1
Received date: 2025-10-29
Revised date: 2026-01-26
Online published: 2026-07-15
【Objective】Photosynthesis is a major determinant of dry matter accumulation in rice, with chlorophyll content and vein density being critical for photosynthetic efficiency. Here, a rice gene regulating chlorophyll content and vein density, OsLVD1, was identified and functionally analyzed.【Method】OsLVD1 was identified based on homology to maize vein development genes, and its protein features, phylogeny, conserved motifs, and subcellular localization were analyzed bioinformatically. An lvd1 mutant was generated using CRISPR/Cas9, with ZH11 as the wild type. Chlorophyll content, vein density, soluble sugar content, and major agronomic traits were examined. The expression of genes related to chlorophyll metabolism and vein development was analyzed by qRT-PCR.【Result】OsLVD1 encodes a nuclear-localized WRKY transcription factor, and the lvd1 mutation caused a frameshift leading to premature termination. Compared with ZH11, the lvd1 mutant showed reductions of 25.90%, 30.75%, and 27.05% in chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll content, respectively, accompanied by increases in minor vein density and bulliform cell number. Plant height was reduced and growth duration was slightly delayed, whereas soluble sugar content, seed-setting rate, and thousand-grain weight were unaffected. qRT-PCR showed that the expression levels of chlorophyll biosynthesis genes OsHEMA1 and OsCHLI were downregulated, while those of the chlorophyll degradation gene OsNYC1 and the vein development gene OsPIN1b were upregulated in the lvd1 mutant. OsLVD1 was predominantly expressed in leaves, with the highest expression at the jointing stage.【Conclusion】Loss of OsLVD1 resulted in a “low chlorophyll-high vein density” phenotype, which may compensate for reduced photosynthesis by enhancing vein-mediated transport and water retention, thereby maintaining yield stability. This study demonstrates a novel role of OsLVD1 in coordinating leaf pigment metabolism and vascular development in rice.
QIU Yijie , QI Feiyang , DU Hewei , HUANG Min , LI Manfei . Identification and Functional Analysis of the Rice Vein Development Gene OsLVD1[J]. Chinese Journal OF Rice Science, 2026 , 40(4) : 447 -459 . DOI: 10.16819/j.1001-7216.2026.251016
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