OsLTP47 may function in a lipid transfer relay essential for pollen wall development in rice

• Published in: Journal of genetics and genomics 2022-05, Vol.49 (5), p.481-491
• Main Authors: Chen, Libin, Ji, Chonghui, Zhou, Degui, Gou, Xin, Tang, Jianian, Jiang, Yongjie, Han, Jingluan, Liu, Yao-Guang, Chen, Letian, Xie, Yongyao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Lipid transfer protein; Male sterility; Pollen wall; Rice
• ISSN: 1673-8527
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2022.03.003

In plants, lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) transport pollen wall constituents from the tapetum to the exine, a process essential for pollen wall development. However, the functional cooperation of different LTPs in pollen wall development is not well understood. In this study, we have identified and characterized a grass-specific LTP gene, OsLTP47, an important regulator of pollen wall formation in rice (Oryza sativa). OsLTP47 encodes a membrane-localized LTP and in vitro lipid-binding assays confirms that OsLTP47 has lipid-binding activity. Dysfunction of OsLTP47 causes disordered lipid metabolism and defective pollen walls, leading to male sterility. Yeast two-hybrid and pull-down assays reveal that OsLTP47 physically interacts with another LTP, OsC6. These findings suggest that the plasma membrane-localized OsLTP47 may function as a mediator in a lipid transfer relay through association with cytosolic and/or locular OsC6 for pollen wall development and that various LTPs may function in a coordinated manner to transport lipid molecules during pollen wall development.