QRT2 — Brachypodium distachyon

Summary

BdQRT2 (BRADI_1G69760V3) on chromosome 1 of Brachypodium distachyon encodes a polygalacturonase with exo-D-galacturonase activity, belonging to the glycosyl hydrolase 28 family. The gene is associated with pectin breakdown, cell wall modification involved in abscission, fruit dehiscence and ripening, anther dehiscence, pollen tube development, pollen germination, and pollen sperm cell differentiation. It has been linked to pollen grain separation, pollen cell wall development, floral organ abscission, and male sterility. The encoded protein localizes to the pollen wall, apoplast, ER, Golgi, and vesicles. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to plant male sterility, reduced seed set with indehiscent anthers, and pollen tetrad formation with fused outer walls.