Fig. 8From: Two highly similar DEAD box proteins, OsRH2 and OsRH34, homologous to eukaryotic initiation factor 4AIII, play roles of the exon junction complex in regulating growth and development in riceSeed setting rate and seed development in OsRH2 and OsRH34 double-knockdown transgenic rice. a and b A low seed setting rate was observed in OsRH2 and OsRH34 double-knockdown plants. a Spikelet phenotype of three independent OsRH2 and OsRH34 double-knockdown lines, RH2Ri 2b, RH2Ri 4, and RH2Ri 14b. Bars = 5 cm. b Determination of the numbers of mature and aborted seeds in OsRH2 and OsRH34 double-knockdown lines. Error bars show ± SD (n = 20), * is significantly different from the wild-type plants (Student’s t test: p <0.05). c The OsRH2 and OsRH34 double-knockdown lines showed defects in pollen development. Bars = 200 μm. d–f The OsRH2 and OsRH34 double-knockdown lines showed defects in embryonic development. d Micrographs of husked of wild-type rice seeds at various developmental stages. Rice seeds were harvested at 1, 3, 7, 14, and 30 days after pollination (DAP). e The internal seed stages of the RH2Ri 2b line at 30 DAP. f Determination of the numbers of the seeds at different stages in the RH2Ri 2b transgenic and wild-type plantsBack to article page