A Plastid RNA Polymerase-Associated Protein Is Involved in Early Chloroplast Development in Rice

Plastid-encoded RNA polymerase (PEP) regulates the expression of chloroplast genes involved in photosynthesis and development rice. The PEP-associated protein (PAP) PAP7/pTAC14 is essential for formation PEP complex. However, function PAP7 rice remains unclear. In this study, we identified a mutant, w81, which displays yellow-green leaf symptom before four-leaf stage. seedlings w81 mutant display reduced chlorophyll content, abnormal structure, elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. After stage, plant leaves gradually turn green with increased content. Map-based cloning reveals that harbors T to A single-base substitution. This mutation blocks normal splicing fifth intron generates 74 bp longer transcripts mutant. OsPAP7 mainly localizes directly interacts OsPAP5. Our results highlight PEP-dependent plays key role