Small RNAs play crucial roles in plant development. Dicer-like 5 (DCL5) is implicated in generating 24-nt phased secondary small interfering RNAs (phasiRNAs) in monocots, particularly abundant in meiotic anthers. This study characterized *dcl5* mutants in maize, revealing their lack of 24-nt phasiRNAs, defective tapetal cells, and temperature-sensitive male sterility. DCL5 and 24-nt phasiRNAs are deemed essential for fertility under optimal yield conditions.
Publisher
Nature Communications
Published On
Jun 09, 2020
Authors
Chong Teng, Han Zhang, Reza Hammond, Kun Huang, Blake C. Meyers, Virginia Walbot
Tags
small RNAs
Dicer-like 5
phasiRNAs
maize
male sterility
plant development
fertility
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