An anther-specific chalcone synthase-like geneD5 related to rice pollen development

It was shown in a previous analysis thatD5 gene from rice (Oryza sativa L.) was an anther-specific gene encoding a chalcone synthase-related protein. In this study,D5 gene was found specifically expressed in tapetum cells as well as in the peripheral cells of the vascular bundle of rice anthers by RNAin situ hybridization. In order to study its function,D5 was transformed into rice in both sense and antisense directions driven by a riceActin 1 promoter. It has been observed that the pollen grains from the antisenseD5 transgenic rice plants are abnormal, indicating thatD5 plays a critical role in rice pollen development.