PNH — Oryza sativa Japonica

Summary

OsPNH (OS04G0615800) on rice chromosome 4 encodes a Piwi/Argonaute-like protein with RNaseH-like domains, annotated with diverse molecular functions including siRNA and miRNA binding, histone ubiquitin ligase activity, and DNA-binding transcription activator activity. The gene is associated with miRNA and long siRNA processing, gene silencing by miRNA-directed mRNA cleavage, and regulation of rRNA processing. It has been linked to numerous developmental and agronomic traits, including leaf morphology and polarity, tiller angle, spikelet number, panicle length, amylose content, photosynthetic ability, and lignin biosynthesis. Phenotypic associations include erect growth, antiviral immunity, virus resistance, and auxin signaling. The gene is also connected to appendage development, somatic stem cell maintenance, female meiotic nuclear division, and acropetal auxin transport. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to developmental timing, floral organ development, and drought stress response.