The multi-domain GTPase (MnmE) is conservative from bacteria to human and participates in tRNA modified synthesis. However, our understanding of how the MnmE is involved in plant chloroplast development is scarce, let alone in rice. A novel rice mutant, thermo-sensitive chlorophyll-deficient mutant 8 (tcd8) was identified in this study, which apparently presented an albino phenotype at 20 °C but a normal green over 24 °C, coincided with chloroplast development and chlorophyll content. Map-based cloning and complementary test revealed the TCD8 encoded a multi-domain GTPase localized in chloroplasts. In addition, the disturbance of TCD8 suppressed the transcripts of certain chloroplast-related genes at low temperature, although the genes were recoverable to nearly normal levels at high temperature (32 °C), indicating that TCD8 governs chloroplast development at low temperature. The multi-domain GTPase gene in rice is first reported in this study, which endorses the importance in exploring chloroplast development in rice.
Keywords: albino phenotype; chloroplast; low temperature; multi-domain GTPase; rice.