The heterotrimeric G protein complex, which is composed of Gá, Gâ, and G?
subunits, are conserved signal transduction mechanism in eukaryotes.
Molecular studies have shown that G protein signaling is linked to the
regulation of yield-related traits but their involvement on yield components
and stress tolerance are yet to be explained. Thus, Yue Cui and the team
used CRISPR-Cas9 to generate heterotrimeric G protein mutants in rice and
investigate the effects of the proteins on yield components and stress
tolerance.



When compared to wild type, the mutants of gs3 and dep1 exhibited better
agronomic traits while the mutants of rga1 were extremely dwarfed which
caused a reduction in grain production. The mutants exhibited enhanced
stress tolerance, especially under salinity treatment. Four putative
extra-large G proteins (PXLG)1-4 were found to be linked to the regulation
of yield components and stress tolerance.

The findings of the study will help in the application of heterotrimeric G
proteins in rice improvement.

[link.springer.com]