The Mediator subunit OsMED23 associates with the histone demethylase OsJMJ703 and the transcription factor OsWOX3A to control grain size and yield in rice.

Abstract

Seed size is one of the important yield traits, and size control is also a fundamental developmental question. The knowledge about the genetic and molecular mechanisms that govern seed size is crucial for improving crop yield. Here, we report that the Mediator subunit OsMED23 associates with the histone demethylase OsJMJ703 and the transcription factor OsWOX3A to control grain size and weight in rice. Loss of function of <i>OsMED23</i> or <i>OsJMJ703</i> causes narrow and light grains, while overexpression of <i>OsMED23</i> or <i>OsJMJ703</i> results in large and heavy grains. OsMED23 physically interacts with OsJMJ703 and the transcription factor OsWOX3A. OsMED23, OsJMJ703, and OsWOX3A associate with the common promoter regions of two key grain size genes <i>GW2</i> and <i>OsLAC</i> and repress their transcription by influencing H3K4me3 levels. Field trials demonstrate that overexpression of <i>OsMED23</i> or <i>OsJMJ703</i> can significantly increase grain yield. Therefore, our findings identify a mechanism by which the transcriptional repressor complex OsJMJ703-OsMED23-OsWOX3A determines grain size and weight by regulating gene expression and influencing H3K4me3 levels in rice, suggesting that this pathway has a great potential for improving grain yield in key crops.