Identification of a new allele of GS3 gene in an aromaticIndica rice cultivar Badshabhog

The GS3, a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) for grain length and weight and a minor QTL for grain width in rice has been reported to encode a transmembrane protein that acts as a negative regulator of grain size. On the basis of different mutations, 4 different types of GS3 alleles have been documented so far. In this study, we report the evidence of a long genomic DNA deletion in the 5 exon and 3′ untranslated transcribed region (UTR)of the GS3 gene present in an aromaticIndicarice cultivar Badshabhog. The deletion results in a frameshift mutation that predicts to a truncated GS3 protein with only 2 domains in comparison to the 4 domains present in the wild type GS3 protein. The small-grain phenotype of theBadshabhog cultivar could be well-explained on the basis of the previously established inter-domain interaction of the GS3 protein. Based upon our findings, we claim the presence of a new 5 GS3 allelic version in thisIndicarice cultivar Badshabhog.