Novel gene regulating tillering and leaf morphology in plant and utilization of the same

Abstract

It is intended to provide a polynucleotide encoding a gene capable of regulating tillering and leaf morphology in a plant and a method of regulating the phenotype of a plant by using this polynucleotide. The above-described polynucleotide can regulate the number of leaves or roots per individual or leaf morphology (including the length, width and thickness of leaves). In an embodiment, the plant usable in the regulation of tillering and leaf morphology is a monocotyledon. In a preferred embodiment, the monocotyledon is a gramineae plant. In a still preferred embodiment, the graminieae plant is rice.

1 . A rice plant exhibiting increased tillering comprising a loss-of-function mutation in both alleles of a gene comprising the nucleotide sequence from A at position 148 to G at position 1383 of SEQ ID NO: 1. 
     
     
         2 . A rice plant exhibiting increased tillering comprising a loss-of-function mutation in both alleles of a gene encoding a protein having the sequence from methionine (Met) at position 1 to lysine (Lys) at position 411 of SEQ ID NO: 2. 
     
     
         3 . An isolated nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence from A at position 148 to G at position 1383 of SEQ ID NO: 1. 
     
     
         4 . An isolated protein comprising the amino acid sequence from methionine (Met) at position 1 to lysine (Lys)) at position 411 of SEQ ID NO: 2.