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Loss of function of Oryza sativa Argonaute 18 induces male sterility and reduction in phased small RNAs

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Key message

In this manuscript, we show that Oryza sativa indica Argonaute protein AGO18 is required for male gametophyte development likely to through a small RNA-mediated mechanism.

Abstract

Monocots have evolved unique gene silencing pathways due to the presence of unique members of Dicer-like and Argonaute (AGO) family members. Among the monocot AGO homologs, AGO18 occupies a unique position. Previous reports have implicated this protein in viral resistance as well as in gametogenesis, likely through its competition with AGO1 clade members for micro(mi)RNAs and other small (s)RNAs. Although expression of rice AGO18 in specific stages of male gametogenesis has been documented, its major functions in plant development remain poorly understood. Here, we show that Oryza sativa indica AGO18 is involved in male gametophyte development. Knockdown (KD) of AGO18 in transgenic rice lines resulted in stunted plants that are male sterile, whereas their carpels were functional. Transcriptome analysis revealed downregulation of several pollen development-associated genes in KD lines. sRNA sequencing in vegetative and reproductive tissues of KD lines indicated reduction of miRNAs and phased secondary sRNAs implicated in male gametophyte development. Our results indicate a distinct role for rice AGO18 in male fertility.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge access to radiation laboratory, central imaging, greenhouse and sequencing facilities from the host Institute. sRNA and RNA-seq was performed at Genotypic Technologies, Bangalore. Thanks to Prof. K. Veluthambi for PB1 seeds and Agrobacterium strain LBA4404 (pSB1), and N. D. Sunitha for comments. Thanks to Rahul Raj Singh for help with subcloning.

Funding

PVS acknowledges support from Ramanujan Fellowship (SR/S2/RJN-109/2012, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India). PVS Lab is supported by NCBS-TIFR core funding and grants (BT/PR12394/AGIII/103/891/2014; BT/IN/Swiss/47/JGK/2018-19; BT/PR25767/GET/119/151/2017) from the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. SD and KP were supported partially through DBT-Research Associateship. SC acknowledges a research fellowship from DBT.

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  1. National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, GKVK Campus, Bangalore, 560065, India

    Soumita Das, Chenna Swetha, Kannan Pachamuthu, Ashwin Nair & P. V. Shivaprasad

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  1. Soumita Das
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  2. Chenna Swetha
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Das, S., Swetha, C., Pachamuthu, K. et al. Loss of function of Oryza sativa Argonaute 18 induces male sterility and reduction in phased small RNAs. Plant Reprod 33, 59–73 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00497-020-00386-w

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