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Antiviral peptides (AVPs) are small molecules that inhibit the replication of viruses in living cells. AVPs are being investigated as potential alternatives to traditional antiviral drugs. The development of novel antiviral agents is of the highest concern because some traditional antiviral medications can be ineffective and lead to resistant viruses emergence. We conducted a bibliometric study on the global distribution of AVP research to comprehend the trends and patterns in the field. For this analysis, we retrieved data from the Scopus database on AVP-related publications from 1951 to 2022, including the number of publications, citations, and authors. Overall, 10,279 papers were published, with an annual average of 146 publications. The United States released the most documents, followed by China, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Since 2001, there has been a substantial increase in global publications on AVPs, with prominent themes including virology, genetics, protease inhibitors, polypeptide antimicrobial agents, and viral entry. This bibliometric analysis can be used to guide future research in this field.

Transient gene expression is an approach used to study transient genes across various species, with infiltration by Agrobacterium tumefaciens (agroinfiltration) being a commonly used method. Agroinfiltration offers a simple and effective means of delivering transgenes into the plant genome. An alternative method for enhancing the quality and productivity of orchids as ornamental plants is genetic modification through agroinfiltration. Although Agrobacterium‐mediated genetic transformation by immersion has been used on the Phalaenopsis amabilis (L.) Blume species of orchid, transformation efficiency using the immersion technique remains relatively low and the method itself is challenging due to its requirement for aseptic handling. The application of agroinfiltration in P. amabilis has not previously been reported. This study investigates the impact of the injection site, acetosyringone concentration, bacterial density (OD600), and injection volume to determine the optimum conditions for agroinfiltration on P. amabilis. The results demonstrated that injection site had a noticeably distinct impact on transformation effectiveness, with the abaxial position of the leaf being the optimal site for Agrobacterium culture suspension injection. While adjustments in acetosyringone concentration, bacterial density (OD600), and injection volume did not significantly affect transformation efficiency, they did influence the peak time of GFP fluorescence. Acetosyringone at a concentration of 200 µM, an OD600 of 1.0 for Agrobacterium culture, and an injection volume of 500 µL effectively accelerated GFP expression duration.

This study investigated the diversity of bacterial community in the samples of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) soaked in water for 12 h and 24 h. The detection of certain bacterial species in the samples that can be isolated and potentially be used as starter cultures in the development of pigeon pea‐based functional foods is the importance of this study. For bacterial identification, the V1–V9 regions on the 16S ribosomal RNA gene were amplified using 27F and 1492R primers under specific polymerase chain reaction conditions. Genomic DNA (130 ng) was sequenced on the R9.4 flow cell by Oxford Nanopore Technologies using a GridION sequencer. Library preparations were conducted using a Native Barcoding Kit 24 V14 (SQK‐NBD114.24). Primary data were acquired using MinKNOW version 22.05.7. A total of 13 bacterial families and 89 genera were identified in the pigeon pea sample soaked for 12 h, and 26 families and 90 genera were identified in the pigeon pea soaked for 24 h. The values of five diversity indices showed that the sample soaked in water for 24 h had richer bacterial abundance and diversity than for 12 h. Shannon and Simpson values revealed the higher bacterial diversity in the samples collected at 24 h than in those collected at 12 h. Species observation and abundance‐based coverage estimators (ACE) values demonstrated that the samples collected at 24 h harbored higher bac‐ terial richness than those collected at 12 h. Bacterial communities during soaking of the pigeon pea were dominated by the family Enterobacteriaceae and genus Enterobacter. The presence of bacterial genera like Lacticaseibacillus, Lentilactobacillus, and Secundilactobacillus is interesting because of their importance as starter cultures for fermented plant‐based milk products

Oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can lead to cellular damage, contributing to degenerative diseases and aging. Black rice bran is a functional food known for its antioxidant properties, which are crucial in reducing the adverse effects of oxidative stress and maintaining redox balance. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effect of the extract of black rice bran (EBRB) 'Sembada Hitam' on Vero cells against H2O2 toxicity. To evaluate the protective effect, a co-culture method was employed, and cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay. Additionally, cell growth was examined through trypan blue staining. Vero cells were exposed to different concentrations of H2O2 and EBRB for a 24-hour period. The results demonstrated that EBRB at concentrations of 15.625, 250, and 500 μg/mL exhibited a protective effect on Vero cells exposed to H2O2 at concentrations of 100, 200, and 400 μM, respectively. Notably, when Vero cells were treated with EBRB at concentrations of 250 or 500 μg/mL for five days in conjunction with H2O2 exposure at concentrations of 200 or 400 μM for 24 hours, a significant decrease in cell viability was observed on day 3. Based on the collective findings, it can be concluded that EBRB has the potential to protect Vero cells against H2O2 -induced toxicity, but primarily during a short-term incubation period. Overall, this study highlights the protective properties of EBRB against H2O2 -induced cellular damage and emphasizes the importance of further investigations to fully elucidate the underlying mechanisms and potential long-term effects of EBRB on cell viability.

Indonesians have a rich tradition of incorporating black rice into their diet as a functional food due to its high antioxidant content. This research investigates the effects of the ethanolic extract of "Sembada Hitam" black rice bran on T47D breast cancer cells, specifically its cytotoxic, cell growth, and apoptotic induction properties. The MTT assay method was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the black rice bran extract on T47D cells after 24 and 48 hours of incubation. The acridine orange/propidium iodide (AO/PI) dye double staining method was employed to assess the apoptosis-inducing properties of the extract. Additionally, a cell growth assay was conducted to evaluate the effect of the extract on cell growth, with observations recorded on days 0, 3, and 6. The results revealed that the ethanolic extract of black rice bran "Sembada Hitam," when administered at various concentrations ranging from 7.81 to 1000 µg/mL, did not exhibit cytotoxic effects on T47D cells during the 24 and 48 hours of incubation. The cell growth assay revealed that T47D cells treated with the ethanolic extract of "Sembada Hitam" black rice bran at concentrations of 250 and 500 µg/mL exhibited lower growth rates than the 1% DMSO group from the 3rd to 6th day after incubation. The ethanolic extract of "Sembada Hitam" at concentrations of 250, 500, and 1000 µg/mL resulted in cell death of 10.64 ± 2.98%, 9.99 ± 5.87%, and 5.84 ± 0.78%, respectively. In conclusion, this study found that the ethanolic extract of "Sembada Hitam" black rice bran did not demonstrate significant cytotoxic effects on T47D breast cancer cells and is, therefore, unlikely to be a suitable candidate for an anti-cancer agent.

Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for the well-being of plants, animals, and bacteria. In plants, iron plays a pivotal role in a myriad of metabolic processes, encompassing redox reaction, photosynthesis, respiration, chlorophyll synthesis, and nitrogen fixation. For humans, iron is indespensable for several metabolic functions, particularly in the synthesis of haemoglobin. Iron deficiency can lead to health issues on a global scale, therefore identifying key crops, such as rice for providing sufficient iron in diet intake is very important. In rice, the maintenance of iron homeostasis is orchestrated by various genes, with OsFER1 and OsFER2 acting as iron accumulator genes in leaves, stems, flowers, and grains. The primary objective of this study was to ascertain the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the OsFER1 and OsFER2 and to assess the iron content in Indonesian local rice cultivars. To achieve this, we examined partial sequences of OsFER1 and OsFER2 to identify SNPs in the Indonesian rice cultivars used (Cempo Ireng, Pari Ireng, Hitam Kalsel, Merah Pari Eja, and Ciherang). Concurrently, the iron content in the seeds was quantified using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The analysis revealed that the OsFER1 gene sequence, specifically exon 5, exhibited a SNP in the form of a transition. In contrast, the OsFER2 gene sequences, specifically in intron 2 displayed SNPs in the form of insertions. Notably, the iron content in the seeds was highest in Cempo Ireng (black rice), while it was lowest in Merah Pari Eja (red rice) and Ciherang (non-pigmented rice). Importantly, the identified SNPs in these partial gene sequences did not exert any discernible influence on iron levels or the formation of ferritin protein.

Camellia sinensis L. is an important crop in Indonesia as healthy beverage that contains several secondary metabolism compounds, such as polyphenols and catechins. Tissue culture including somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis has been used for propagating plant for various needs. In this present short-communication, scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis of tea was conducted and discussed. This study aimed to investigate surface ultrastructure of TRI2025 embryo axis tea clone cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The results revealed two different forms of explant’s development, i.e. somatic embryo and transitional form between somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis; or called by “Globular-like Structure” (GLS). Surface ultrastructure analysis of somatic embryo and GLS revealed respectively many stages of somatic embryo development i.e. globular, torpedo, and cotyledon stage, and leaf development form GLS regeneration.

Agroforestry is often seen as a sustainable land-use system for agricultural production providing ecosystem services. Intercropping with food crops leads to equal or higher productivity than monoculture and results in food production for industry and subsistence. Low rubber price and low labor productivity in smallholdings have led to a dramatic conversion of rubber plantations to more profitable crops. The literature analysis performed in this paper aimed at better understanding the ins and outs that could make rubber-based agroforestry more attractive for farmers. A comprehensive search of references was conducted in March 2023 using several international databases and search engines. A Zotero library was set up consisting of 415 scientific references. Each reference was carefully read and tagged in several categories: cropping system, country, main tree species, intercrop type, intercrop product, level of product use, discipline of the study, research topic, and intercrop species. Of the 232 journal articles, 141 studies were carried out on rubber agroforestry. Since 2011, the number of studies per year has increased. Studies on rubber-based agroforestry systems are performed in most rubber-producing countries, in particular in Indonesia, Thailand, China, and Brazil. These studies focus more or less equally on perennials (forest species and fruit trees), annual intercrops, and mixed plantations. Of the 47 annual crops associated with rubber in the literature, 20 studies dealt with rice, maize, banana, and cassava. Agronomy is the main discipline in the literature followed by socio-economy and then ecology. Only four papers are devoted to plant physiology and breeding. The Discussion Section has attempted to analyze the evolution of rubber agroforestry research, progress in the selection of food crop varieties adapted to agroforestry systems, and to draw some recommendations for rubber-based agroforestry systems associated with food crops.

Obesity increases the risk of various diseases. Black rice, renowned for its high anthocyanin content, is considered a potential functional food for preventing metabolic disorders. The current study investigated the effects of black rice crunch (BRC) on body weight and haematological profiles in obese rats. Rats were fed with high-fat diet to induce obesity and supplemented with different concentrations of BRC for 4 and 8 weeks. The results showed that high-fat diet effectively induced obesity, as evidenced by significant increase in body weight. Importantly, 75% BRC supplementation resulted in significant weight reduction in obese rats. Further analysis revealed an increase in erythrocyte numbers in obese groups supplemented with 75% BRC, but no significant changes in haemoglobin concentration or haematocrit percentage. Further investigation showed that 75% BRC led to a decrease in mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), potentially affecting the size and concentration of haemoglobin within erythrocytes. The total leucocytes count increased with the high-fat diet, while BRC supplementation alone did not have significant impact. Lymphocyte percentage remained stable across the groups, indicating minimal influence of the dietary interventions. Neutrophil percentage varied initially but was not specific to BRC or the high-fat diet. Platelet count and distribution width were not significantly influenced, but mean platelet volume (MPV) increased after 8 weeks of BRC treatment, suggesting larger platelet sizes associated with obesity. Overall, the study provides important insights into the effects of BRC supplementation on body weight and haematological parameters related to obesity.

The use of peptide drugs to treat cancer is gaining popularity because of their efficacy, fewer side effects, and several advantages over other properties. Identifying the peptides that interact with cancer proteins is crucial in drug discovery. Several approaches related to predicting peptide-protein interactions have been conducted. However, problems arise due to the high costs of resources and time and the smaller number of studies. This study predicts peptide-protein interactions using Random Forest, XGBoost, and SAE-DNN. Feature extraction is also performed on proteins and peptides using intrinsic disorder, amino acid sequences, physicochemical properties, position-specific assessment matrices, amino acid composition, and dipeptide composition. Results show that all algorithms perform equally well in predicting interactions between peptides derived from venoms and target proteins associated with cancer. However, XGBoost produces the best results with accuracy, precision, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.859, 0.663, and 0.697, respectively. The enrichment analysis revealed that peptides from the Calloselasma rhodostoma venom targeted several proteins (ESR1, GOPC, and BRD4) related to cancer.

Abstract Background Plants have the unique capability to form embryos from both gametes and somatic cells, with the latter process known as somatic embryogenesis. Somatic embryogenesis (SE) can be induced by exposing plant tissues to exogenous growth regulators or by the ectopic activation of embryogenic transcription factors. Recent studies have revealed that a discrete group of RWP-RK DOMAIN-CONTAINING PROTEIN (RKD) transcription factors act as key regulators of germ cell differentiation and embryo development in land plants. The ectopic overexpression of reproductive RKDs is associated with increased cellular proliferation and the formation of somatic embryo-like structures that bypass the need for exogenous growth regulators. However, the precise molecular mechanisms implicated in the induction of somatic embryogenesis by RKD transcription factors remains unknown. Results In silico analyses have identified a rice RWP-RK transcription factor, named Oryza sativa RKD3 (OsRKD3), which is closely related to Arabidopsis thaliana RKD4 (AtRKD4) and Marchantia polymorpha RKD (MpRKD) proteins. Our study demonstrates that the ectopic overexpression of OsRKD3, which is expressed preferentially in reproductive tissues, can trigger the formation of somatic embryos in an Indonesian black rice landrace (Cempo Ireng) that is normally resistant to somatic embryogenesis. By analyzing the transcriptome of induced tissue, we identified 5,991 genes that exhibit differential expression in response to OsRKD3 induction. Among these genes, 50% were up-regulated while the other half were down-regulated. Notably, approximately 37.5% of the up-regulated genes contained a sequence motif in their promoter region, which was also observed in RKD targets from Arabidopsis. Furthermore, OsRKD3 was shown to mediate the transcriptional activation of a discrete gene network, which includes several transcription factors such as APETALA 2-like (AP2-like)/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (ERF), MYB and CONSTANS-like (COL), and chromatin remodeling factors associated with hormone signal transduction, stress responses and post-embryonic pathways. Conclusions Our data show that OsRKD3 modulates an extensive gene network and its activation is associated with the initiation of a somatic embryonic program that facilitates genetic transformation in black rice. These findings hold substantial promise for improving crop productivity and advancing agricultural practices in black rice.

Sansevieria trifasciata is a plant that is commonly utilized in traditional medicine. The leaves of S. trifasciata show antibacterial properties against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This bacterium is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause serious illness in humans and produce a variety of virulence factors responsible for bacterial pathogenesis with quorum sensing (QS) systems that mediate intracellular communication. Bacteria produce protease through a QS mechanism in which they express signaling molecules to become pathogens. Proteases are extracellular enzymes required for successful infection that mediate biofilm spread through QS and regulate a variety of cellular and physiological functions. This research aimed to evaluate the protease, and anti‐QS activities of the ethanolic extract from S. trifasciata leaves against P. aeruginosa and the expression of QS genes. An azocasein test was used to determine the protease activity in qualitative and quantitative methods. Using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, a study was conducted to investigate the effect of ethanolic extract from S. trifasciata leaves on selected QS‐regulatory genes at the transcriptional level. The results showed that the potential ethanolic extract from S. trifasciata leaves inhibited the protease enzyme activity by as much as 77.1%. The potential ethanolic extract from S. trifasciata leaves decreased the expressions of lasA, lasB, lasI, lasR, rhlI, and rhlR with 2‐ΔΔCt values of 0.81, 0.93, 0.76, 0.97, 0.90, and 0.55 respectively.

The effects of exogenously supplied osmoprotectants in crops have not yet been extensively studied. In this study, an osmoprotectant containing a high concentration of proline (2.5 g mol−1 FW) was obtained from a Casuarina equisetifolia leaf extract. The effect of the extract was evaluated in local Indonesian rice cultivars Boawae Seratus Malam (BSM), Gogo Jak (GJ), Situ Bagendit (SB) (drought-tolerant), Kisol Manggarai (KM) and Ciherang (drought-susceptible) cultivars under drought at the morphological, physiological, and genetic levels. Under drought, the KM showed an increased level of OsWRKY, OsNAC, OsDREB1A, and OsDREB2A expression after application of the osmoprotectant, leading to the activation of proline synthesis genes including OsP5CS1, OsP5CR, and OsProDH, while the tolerant cultivars (BSM, GJ, and SB) showed no difference. The content of chlorophyll, carotenoids, anthocyanins, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities also increased in GJ and KM, during drought stress and applied osmoprotectants, but remained low in the BSM. We conclude that the foliar application of osmoprotectants derived from C.equisetifolia caused an accumulation of proline in susceptible plants. The existence of these extracts stabilizes leaf cells and supports photosynthetic compartments and carbon assimilation in plants, leading to growth.

Abstract Background Saline land in coastal areas has great potential for crop cultivation. Improving salt tolerance in rice is a key to expanding the available area for its growth and thus improving global food security. Seed priming with salt (halopriming) can enhance plant growth and decrease saline intolerance under salt stress conditions during the subsequent seedling stage. However, there is little known about rice defense mechanisms against salinity at seedling stages after seed halopriming treatment. This study focused on the effect of seed halopriming treatment on salinity tolerance in a susceptible cultivar, IR 64, a resistant cultivar, Pokkali, and two pigmented rice cultivars, Merah Kalimantan Selatan (Merah Kalsel) and Cempo Ireng Pendek (CI Pendek). We grew these cultivars in hydroponic culture, with and without halopriming at the seed stage, under either non-salt or salt stress conditions during the seedling stage. Results The SES scoring assessment showed that the level of salinity tolerance in susceptible cultivar, IR 64, and moderate cultivar, Merah Kalsel, improved after seed halopriming treatment. Furthermore, seed halopriming improved the growth performance of IR 64 and Merah Kalsel rice seedlings. Quantitative PCR revealed that seed halopriming induced expression of the OsNHX1 and OsHKT1 genes in susceptible rice cultivar, IR 64 and Merah Kalsel thereby increasing the level of resistance to salinity. The expression levels of OsSOS1 and OsHKT1 genes in resistant cultivar, Pokkali, also increased but there was no affect on the level of salinity tolerance. On the contrary, seed halopriming decreased the expression level of OsSOS1 genes in pigmented rice cultivar, CI Pendek, but did not affect the level of salinity tolerance. The transporter gene expression induction significantly improved salinity tolerance in salinity-susceptible rice, IR 64, and moderately tolerant rice cultivar, Merah Kalsel. Induction of expression of the OsNHX1 and OsHKT1 genes in susceptible rice, IR 64, after halopriming seed treatment balances the osmotic pressure and prevents the accumulation of toxic concentrations of Na+, resulting in tolerance to salinity stress. Conclusion These results suggest that seed halopriming can improve salinity tolerance of salinity-susceptible and moderately tolerant rice cultivars.

qPCR merupakan metode yang akurat untuk mendeteksi ekspresi gen. Analisis ekspresi gen pengkode faktor transkripsi pada padi saat ini banyak dilakukan. OsAP2, OsERF3 dan OsEREBP2 merupakan faktor transkripsi pada padi yang termasuk kedalam kelompok AP2/ERF yang berperan penting dalam proses biologis pada tanaman. Penelitian mengenai analisis ekspresi gen OsAP2, OsERF3 dan OsEREBP2 pada Cempo Ireng belum pernah dilakukan. Dalam melakukan analisis ekspresi gen menggunakan RT-PCR dibutuhkan primer spesfiik sesuai dengan gen yang diinginkan. Primer merupakan salah satu komponen penting dalam melakukan metode PCR. Gagalnya penempelan primer pada tahapan annealing menyebabkan kegagalan amplifikasi. Optimasi primer perlu untuk dilakukan untuk mendapatkan suhu annealing yang optimal. Pada penelitian ini akan dilakukan optimasi suhu anealing pada 3 gen pengkode faktor transkripsi pada padi yakni OsAP2, OsERF3 dan OsEREBP2. Optimasi dilakukan dengan menggunakan cDNA sebagai template. Konfirmasi hasil qPCR dilakukan dengan menggunakan elektroforesis. Hasil optimasi menunjukkan bahwa suhu annealing optimal pada primer OsAP2, OsERF3 dan OsEREBP2 berada pada kisaran 53,9 – 60 °C.

Response by plants to drought occurs through a series of mechanisms that involve transcription regulation. This research was conducted to study transcription factors (TF) and physiological changes in the drought response of local rice cultivars from East Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara Timur, NTT) during drought stress. Using three NTT local rice cultivars (Boawae Seratus Malam (BSM), Gogo Jak (GJ), and Kisol Manggarai (KM)) and the fraction of transpirable soil water (FTSW) method with two treatment levels, FTSW 1 (control) and FTSW 0.2 (severe stress), we analyzed the TF expression of OsDREB1A, OsDREB2A, OsWRKY45, and OsNAC6. Based on the result, the highest level of TF expression occurred in the BSM, followed by the GJ and KM cultivars. Analysis of physiological characteristics showed an association between TF expression levels and physiological response, with the BSM cultivar showing high pigment levels, high proline content, and lower H2O2 levels. A linkage was also found in relation to water conservation, as indicated by the higher relative water content and cell membrane stability index in the BSM cultivar in contrast to lower electronic leakage and malondialdehyde percentage when exposed to drought. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the BSM cultivar can be considered as a drought‐tolerant local cultivar according to morpho‐physiological analysis. In this study, all NTT local rice cultivars showed a subtle upregulation of stress‐responsive transcription factors OsDREB1A, OsDREB2A, OsWRKY45, and OsNAC6 as responses to drought stress.

Unfavorable environmental conditions and climate change impose stress on plants, causing yield losses worldwide. The Indonesian pigmented rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars Cempo Ireng Pendek (black rice) and Merah Kalimantan Selatan (red rice) are becoming popular functional foods due to their high anthocyanin contents and have great potential for widespread cultivation. However, their ability to grow on marginal, high-salinity lands is limited. In this study, we investigated whether seed halopriming enhances salt tolerance in the two pigmented rice cultivars. The non-pigmented cultivars IR64, a salt-stress-sensitive cultivar, and INPARI 35, a salt tolerant, were used as control. We pre-treated seeds with a halopriming solution before germination and then exposed the plants to a salt stress of 150 mM NaCl at 21 days after germination using a hydroponic system in a greenhouse. Halopriming was able to mitigate the negative effects of salinity on plant growth, including suppressing reactive oxygen species accumulation, increasing the membrane stability index (up to two-fold), and maintaining photosynthetic pigment contents. Halopriming had different effects on the accumulation of proline, in different rice varieties: the proline content increased in IR64 and Cempo Ireng Pendek but decreased in INPARI 35 and Merah Kalimantan Selatan. Halopriming also had disparate effects in the expression of stress-related genes: OsMYB91 expression was positively correlated with salt treatment, whereas OsWRKY42 and OsWRKY70 expression was negatively correlated with this treatment. These findings highlighted the potential benefits of halopriming in salt-affected agro-ecosystems.

Plant pathogens constrain the development of black rice farming. One of these pathogens is Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), causing a bacterial leaf blight disease. The disease disrupts crop growth and reducing yields. Cempo ireng is a local pigmented rice cultivar from Yogyakarta, Indonesia, which is reported for its high resistance to Xoo. One of the rice resistance mechanisms to Xoo infection is a molecular defense employing plant resistance genes such as WRKY45. Comparing the expression of resistance-related genes of the resistant cultivar to the susceptible ones is needed to elucidate the resistance mechanism of the black rice to Xoo. For this purpose, the expression of WRKY45 gene at the level of mRNA can be performed using qRT-PCR. The success of qPCR analysis is greatly influenced by the accuracy of the annealing primer temperature of the corresponding gene. This study aimed to optimize the primer's annealing temperature for WRKY45 gene. The optimization was done by a temperature gradient PCR. Determination of the optimal annealing temperature was selected based on the profile of the amplification curve, melt curve, melt temperature and the Ct value obtained. The annealing temperature gradient used in this study was ranging from 52°C to 60°C. The results showed that the best annealing temperature for WRKY45 gene primers is 58.3°C based on the amplification curve, melt curve, melt peak and Ct value of 29.21.

Application of high levels of chemical fertilizers for optimal growth of sweet sorghum causes environmental degradation. Plant growth‐promoting bacteria have biotechnological importance because they can improve the growth and health of important agronomic plants. This study aimed to isolate, characterize, and identify endophytic bacteria associated with sweet sorghum (cv. KCS105), and also to study the inoculation effects of selected isolates on sorghum growth. In this study, 35 isolates were evaluated for their ability to support plant growth. The results showed that seven isolates were diazotrophic, six were capable of dissolving phosphate, six produced IAA and could detect ACC‐deaminase activity, and three inhibited the growth of pathogenic fungi. Nine isolates exhibiting mechanisms for promoting plant growth from the Alphaproteobacteria (Devosia), Firmicutes (Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Staphylococcus), and Actinobacteria (Microbacterium, Brachybacterium) phyla were identified. In addition, the Paenibacillus sp. BB7, Bacillus sp. PIB1B, and Bacillus sp. PLB1B isolates showed increasing effects on plant growth in greenhouse tests. Endophytic bacterial isolates which display plant growth‐promoting features can potentially be employed as biofertilizer agents. They may also address environmental damage problems resulting from the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Streptomyces is one of mercury‐resistant bacteria which can convert Hg2+ into nontoxic Hg0 . This study aimed to identify mercury‐resistant Streptomyces present in the Cyperus rotundus rhizosphere from artisanal small‐scale gold mining (ASGM) area and clone merA gene to the cloning and expression vectors. Molecular identification was conducted using 16s rRNA gene with the maximum likelihood algorithms. Results revealed that the AS1 and AS2 strains were a group of Streptomyces ardesiacus and the BR28 strain was closed to Brevibacillus agri. The AS2 merA gene was cloned to pMD20 cloning vectors, pGEX‐5x‐1 and pET‐28c expression vectors. The transformation was successfully performed in BL21 and DH5α competent cells. The full length of the merA gene was confirmed to be 1,425 bp. This study is the first research on identifying mercury‐resistant Streptomyces and cloning the full‐length merA gene in Indonesia.

Diabetes is a metabolic syndrome characterized by high blood sugar levels or hyperglycemia. Alpha-amylase inhibitors can be used as an antidiabetic that controls postprandial hyperglycemia. Alpha-amylase inhibitors are found in plants as protein and non-protein bioactive content such as in lebui seed. The purpose of this study was to determine the activity of alpha-amylase inhibition of the fraction of ethanol extract of lebui seed. This research was carried out by extraction of lebui seed and then fractionated lebui extract to obtain n-hexane fraction (HF), ethyl acetate fraction (EAF), and water fraction (WF). The fractions then tested to alpha-amylase inhibition activity in vitro by measuring the reducing sugar using 3.5-dinitrosalicylic (DNS) reagent. Furthermore, the identification of the bioactive content of each fraction was carried out using thin layer chromatography. The results of alpha-amylase inhibition activity test showed that all fractions had the ability to inhibit alpha-amylase. The IC50 value of the n-hexane fraction, ethyl acetate fraction, and water fraction were 173.05 mg/ml, 9.98 mg/ml, and 137.19 mg/ml, respectively. Ethyl acetate fraction has the smallest IC50 value compared to other fractions. Based on the identification of the bioactive content, bioactive content that is only found in the ethyl acetate fraction but not in other fractions are tannins. Therefore, the chemical content in lebui seed which acts as an alpha-amylase inhibitor might be tannins.

Tubers and tuberous root crops are essential carbohydrate sources and staple foods for humans, second only to cereals. The developmental phase transition, including floral initiation and underground storage organ formation, is controlled by complex signaling processes involving the integration of environmental and endogenous cues. FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) and TERMINAL FLOWER 1/CENTRORADIALIS (TFL1/CEN), members of the phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP) gene family, play a central role in this developmental phase transition process. FT and FT-like proteins have a function to promote developmental phase transition, while TFL1/CEN act oppositely. The balance between FT and TFL1/CEN is critical to ensure a successful plant life cycle. Here, we present a summarized review of the role and signaling network of PEBP in floral initiation and underground storage organ formation, specifically in tubers and tuberous root crops. Lastly, we point out several questions that need to be answered in order to have a more complete understanding of the PEBP signaling network, which is crucial for the agronomical improvement of tubers and tuberous crops.

The use of medicinal plants is increasing due to the lack of side effects caused and the number of bioactive compounds that cannot be represented by synthetic chemical synthesis compounds. However, the management and use of natural medicines for the main handling of diseases are often hampered by the quality of the ingredients which are low and unstable. The standardized quality control system of OAI (Indonesian Natural Medicine) is the main key to improve clinical assurance and safety of the use of herbal medicines in Indonesia. One of the medicinal plants known to the public is Curcuma longa L. (turmeric). The main active components contained in turmeric are curcumin, demetoksikurkumin, bis-demetoksikurkumin, and ar-turmeron. Information about the quality of turmeric is needed in its use as a raw material for drugs so we need an analytical technique that is able to identify the diversity of metabolite profiles of active compounds. In this research, an optimization method is used to improve efficiency in the extraction of turmeric rhizome metabolites so that the best solvent concentration is known for the analysis of fingerprinting secondary metabolites with 1H-NMR 500 MHz spectroscopy in turmeric rhizomes. The results were analyzed with MNOVA software and chemical shift obtained compared with the reference. From the results obtained a concentration of methanol-d4 (CD3OD) 100% able to extract curcumin better than other solvents. The solvent is able to extract saccharide (sugar) compounds in the form of sucrose, amino acids and fatty acids in the form of methionine, glutamine, acetate, and glycero phospho choline.

Tissue culture is an alternative choice of plant propagation either through somatic embryogenesis or in vitro organogenesis techniques. TRI2025 tea clone has been cultured successfully, however, the scientific information related to morphology, histology, and protein profile at an early event of culturing time has not been reported yet. This study aimed to determine the differences between those pathways, in the context of morphology, histology, and protein profile. The explants were the embryo axis of TRI2025 tea clone cultured on two different induction mediums; somatic embryogenesis and in vitro organogenesis induction medium. The results showed that most of the explants cultured on A medium developed to be a globular-like structure at 11-day after culture (DAC), while all explants cultured on B medium showed the initiation stage of in vitro organogenesis. Histological analysis showed meristem reconstruction at shoot apical meristem (SAM) and root apical meristem (RAM) at 11-DAC at explants cultured on B medium, while explants cultured on A medium showed callusing at 21-DAC. Protein profile analysis using SDS-PAGE showed protein bands of 54 and 81 KDa that only appeared at explants cultured on A medium start from 14-DAC, and those two protein bands thought to be a differentiator at the early stages of the two tissue culture techniques. Thus, these parameters can be used as early detection for plant tissue culture, especially in tea.

Snake envenomation is a severe economic and health concern affecting countries worldwide. Snake venom carries a wide variety of small peptides and proteins with various immunological and pharmacological properties. A few key research areas related to snake venom, including its applications in treating cancer and eradicating antibiotic-resistant bacteria, have been gaining significant attention in recent years. The goal of the current study was to analyze the global profile of literature in snake venom research. This study presents a bibliometric review of snake venom-related research documents indexed in the Scopus database between 1933 and 2022. The overall number of documents published on a global scale was 2999, with an average annual production of 34 documents. Brazil produced the highest number of documents (n = 729), followed by the United States (n = 548), Australia (n = 240), and Costa Rica (n = 235). Since 1963, the number of publications has been steadily increasing globally. At a worldwide level, antivenom, proteomics, and transcriptomics are growing hot issues for research in this field. The current research provides a unique overview of snake venom research at global level from 1933 through 2022, and it may be beneficial in guiding future research.

Tea is well known as favourite healthy drink for almost all people over the world. Tea propagation using conventional and modern ways are now developing rapidly. However, information regarding the protein profile of tissue culture of tea plant has not been revealed yet. This study aimed to determine the difference of protein profile of tea’s tissue culture using SDS-PAGE. This study was conducted using embryonic axes of TRI2025 tea clone cultured on MS media supplemented with 2,4-D for inducing somatic embryogenesis and globular-like structure (GLS) regeneration, and MS media supplemented with BAP for inducing shoot via organogenesis. The results revealed that proteins in the size of 37.69; 54.89; 60.77; 71.35; 87.34; and 92.99 KDa might be involved at somatic embryogenesis, and about 38.69 KDa, 69.27 KDa, and 55.76 KDa respectively for GLS, initiation of shoot, and initiation of GLS derived leaf. Predicted key protein for leaf initiation both directly or through GLS was about 31-33 KDa, while for callusing were about 27.56 and 52.73 KDa, and constitutive protein was about 22.75 KDa. This study provides the first report of protein profile of tea’s tissue culture. The information obtained can be beneficial as a marker for explant for somatic embryogenesis, GLS, or organogenesis pathway and as a scientific information for further biotechnology development.

Fungi are capable of treating various synthetic dye effluents. Previously, we isolated seven strains of fungi from contaminated batik dye effluent at Banyumas, Central Java. The aims of this study were to screen the ability of these fungi to decolorize batik dye effluents containing Indigosol Blue-04B and to investigate the phytotoxicity effects of biodegraded effluent on the germination of corn seeds Zea mays L. and green bean seeds Vigna radiate (L.) Wilczek. In addition, the decolorized effluents were tested for toxic effect on the agriculturally important gram-positive and gram-negative soil bacteria Bacillus cereus and Azotobacter sp., Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. Study of decolorization showed that fungi were able to decolorize Indigosol Blue-04B batik dye effluents by 21.04% to 99.89% at room temperature after three days of incubation. The assay of phytotoxicity showed that both plumule and radicle length of Z. mays and V. radiata grown on the decolorized effluent was longer than on untreated effluent. The percentage of Z. mays and V. radiata seed germination in decolorized effluent was higher than in untreated effluent. There was no inhibition zone found around the decolorized effluent samples after incubating the bacteria for 48 hours. Aspergillus sp. 3 was the most effective for degradation and could be used for batik effluent mycoremediation processes.

BSR 2, BSR 3, BSR 8, and BSR 9, different bacteria isolated from the termite gut, have been shown to possess cellulolytic activities, but their amylolytic ability has heretofore been unknown. This study attempted to fill in this knowledge gap. The formation of a clear zone using the iodine test showed that the bacteria were able to produce and secrete amylase. Based on the results, the best cultivation times for strains BSR 2, BSR 3, BSR 8, and BSR 9 were 6, 3, 2, and 2 d, respectively, yielding amylase activities of 2.59 ± 0.13 U/mg, 2.00 ± 0.08 U/mg, 1.67 ± 0.10 U/mg, and 1.55 ± 0.12 U/mg, respectively. BSR 2 had the highest amylase activity compared with the other bacterial isolates. The optimum ph for bacterial amylase activity of BSR 2 was 7.0, and the optimum temperature was 40°C. The molecular characterization of isolates BSR 2, BSR 3, BSR 8, and BSR 9 was based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. Isolates BSR 8 and BSR 9 were thus identified as Brevibacillus parabrevis and Brevibacillus sp. With similarities amounting to 92.48% and 95.91%, while the BSR 3 isolate was identified as Pseudomonas alcaligenes with a similarity of 94.29%, and the BSR 2 isolate could not be identified yet.

Pigmented rice may have a black or red color due to higher anthocyanin content in its grain. A natural antioxidant, many studies on anthocyanin have reported its positive effects on human health. This fact has spurred the development of pigmented rice as a functional food. This study aimed to compare the metabolite profiles of black and red rice. Three black rice cultivars, namely Melik, Pari Ireng, and Cempo Ireng Sleman, and two red rice cultivars, Inpari 24 and RC 204, were used. After husk removal, grain samples were ground in liquid nitrogen and dried with a freeze dryer. The dried samples were extracted using 50% MeOD4 (in a D2O phosphate buffer pH 6 containing 0.01% TSP as an internal standard). Metabolomic analysis was performed using 500 MHz NMR followed by multivariate data analysis. An orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model ađer PCA was constructed to discriminate between the five different cultivars. The resulting OPLS-DA score plot revealed a clear separation between black rice and red rice. The metabolites that could influence the separation of red rice and black rice were valine, threonine, alanine, glutamate, galactinol, β-glucose, α-glucose, raffinose, and fumaric acid.

The chemical contents and health benefits of black rice bran of some rice cultivars have been investigated. However, there has been little research on the ‘Cempo Ireng’ cultivar from Sleman, Yogyakarta. The aim of this present study was to determine the anthocyanin, antioxidant activity, and macro- and micronutrients contents of black rice bran from this local cultivar. The anthocyanin in the black rice bran was extracted using the maceration method with methanol as a solvent. The extract obtained was separated through a preparative thin layer chromatography (TLC) of silica GF254 and a mobile phase composed of n-butanol, acetic acid, and water. Two fractions were collected and analyzed for the anthocyanin content. The preparative TLC spots were separated for further detection and measurement of cyanidin 3-O-glucoside using HPLC followed by LC-MS. The antioxidant activity of the fractions were measured using the DPPH free radical scavenging method. The results showed that the anthocyanin in fraction 1 was identified as cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (66.1 ± 10.6 µg/g). The IC50 of fractions 1 and 2 were 200.96 and 218.36 µg/mL, respectively. Analysis of the macro- and micronutrients revealed that the black rice bran of ‘Cempo Ireng’ had nutrient contents comparable with other rice cultivars. Therefore, this local black rice bran can be used as a source of antioxidants and macro-- and micronutrients.

The sandwich method is a reliable screening bioassay that can be utilized to investigate allelopathic activity of leaf litter leachates. Screening the allelopathic potential of mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) leaf litter in plant–plant interaction using the sandwich bioassay method has not been reported. The research objectives were to determine and categorize allelopathic potential of S. macrophylla leaf litter using the sandwich bioassay method, and to determine specific activity (EC550). S. macrophylla leaf litter. The results showed that S. macrophylla leaf litter exhibited strong allelopathic activity when compared with 46 leaf litter species and was included in the top ten of allelopathic leaf litter species. Increasing S. macrophylla leaf litter concentration was concomitant with inhibition of radicle lettuce seedling growth compared with the control. According to the linear regression analysis, the effective concentration (EC50) of S. macrophylla was estimated to be 3.25 mg D.W. eq. mL-1 and was considered to have strong growth-inhibitory activity on lettuce radicle elongation. The results suggest the possibility of allelopathic potential of leaf litter in plant–plant interaction under S. macrophylla trees.

Effluent from the local batik home industry is a serious problem, because the effluent discharge generated is spread in different places. Untreated effluent can cause environmental pollution, such as in groundwater reservoirs,because most is discharged into rivers. The aim of this research was to evaluate the bioremediation potential of indigenous fungi in liquid culture media with Indigosol Blue 04B (IB) batik effluent. The fungi isolates tested were Aspergillus sp. 1, Aspergillus sp. 2 and Aspergillus sp. 3, isolated from dye effluent soil and batik effluent, and compared to white rot fungi (Phanerochaete chrysosporium) as a positive control. The physiochemical properties of IB batik effluent before and after fungal treatment were investigated. All of these parameters before the fungal treatment were above the recommended standard values based on the Governor regulation of Yogyakarta Special Region No. 7/2010. The level of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), and electrical conductance (EC) was reduce by Aspergillus spp. The highest percentage reduction was achieved by Aspergillus sp. 3, namely 88.34% BOD, 89.11% COD, 75.77% TSS, 85.85% TDS and 71.21% EC, after 3 days of incubation. These results show that the positive control isolate had the lowest value. The study confirms the ability of indigenous fungi isolates in the remediation of IB batik effluent and their potential for future analysis in the treatment of all types of batik effluent.

Cellulase has been widely used as biocatalyst in industries. Production of cellulase from microorganisms has many advantages such as short production time and less expense. Our previous study indicated that one of cellulolytic bacteria from digestive tract of milkfish (Chanos chanos), namely BSA B1, showed the highest cellulase activity. The objective of this study was to determine the phylogenetic of BSA B1 strain using 16S rRNA gene sequence. Furthermore, this study also determine the specific activity of purified cellulase from BSA B1 strain and its potency to hydrolyze Chlorella zofingiensis cellulose. Cellulase was purified using ammonium sulphate precipitation, dialysis, and ion exchange chromatography. The purified cellulase was used to hydrolyze cellulose of C. zofingiensis. The result demonstrated that BSA B1 strain was closely related with Bacillus aerius and Bacillus licheniformis. The specific activity of the crude enzyme was 1.543 U mL-1; after dialysis was 4.384 U mL-1; and after chromatography was 7.543 U mL-1. Purified cellulase exhibited activity in hydrolyzed both CMC and C. zofingiensis. Compared to commercial cellulase, purified cellulase had lower activity in hydrolyzed CMC but higher activity in hydrolyzed C. zofingiensis. Ethanol dehydration could potentially increase the reducing sugar yield in cellulose hydrolysis when used appropriately. Morphology of C. zofingiensis cell has changed after incubation with cellulases and ethanol dehydration indicated degradation of cell wall.

The effects of LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) emitting different colours namely red, blue, red and blue, and white lights on vegetative growth and fl ower initiation of Phalaenopsis have been evaluated. Phalaenopsis“otohine/taisuco fi re bird” seedlings in vitro were subjected to different light qualities for either 2 or 4 weeks, and then each seedling was planted in a plastic pot containing sphagnum and grown in the growth chamber under similar light quality for 3 months. For fl ower induction, mature Phalaenopsis plants having 4 – 6 leaves were grown for 3 months in the growth chamber under different light qualities. The leaf span, chlorophyll, gibberellin and cytokinin content were determined. In addition, the expressions of FT-like gene in the leaf, axillary bud, fl ower bud and stalk were examined. Vegetative growth was enhanced under blue, red-blue or white LEDs compared to that of the control. Gibberellin and cytokinin content increased in the seedlings subjected to white LEDs. Based on the average of leaf span increment it was suggested that the growth of Phalaenopsis seedlings can be promoted by giving either blue, red-blue or white LEDs. From the second experiment, it was found that fl ower induction in Phalaenopsis can be obtained in plants that had just fi nished fl owering without the application of LEDs. The expression of FT-like gene in the leaf as well as fl ower bud and stalk suggests that this gene is involved in fl ower regulation of Phalaenopsis.

Twenty six isolates of Streptomyces spp. obtained from Cyperus rotundus L. rhizosphere were tested forability to produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in yeast malt extract (YM) medium containing 2 mg/mL tryptophan.Screening of the isolates for ability to produce IAA was carried out by adding Salkowski reagent in bacteriaculture and was measured quantitatively by spectrophotometer at λ 530 nm. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)method was used to determine IAA. To ensure the IAA production in Streptomyces isolates, gene involved inIAA biosynthesis was detected by amplifying Tryptophan Monooxigenase (iaaM) gene. The study of the effectof tryptophan on the production of IAA was measured at different concentrations of tryptophan (0, 1, 2, 3,4, 5 mg/mL) in the bacterial culture. The result showed that there were two Streptomyces spp. isolates whichcould produce IAA, namely the isolates of Streptomyces sp. MS1 (125.48 μg/mL) and Streptomyces sp. BR27(104.13 μg/mL). The TLC result showed that the compound in both isolates was identifi ed to be IAA. Theamplifi cation results showed that iaaM gene was detected in both isolates. This results indicated that the IAMpathway is predicted involved in the biosynthesis of IAA in the selected isolates. Both of the isolates were ableto produce IAA after 24 h incubation and the highest production was at 120 h incubation with the concentrationof tryptophan was 2 mg/mL dan 1 mg/mL, respectively. Therefore, it is concluded that Streptomyces spp.isolates are able to produce IAA and potentially to be utilized as biostimulat agent. Keywords: Streptomyces spp., indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-acetamide (IAM), Tryptophan Monooxigenasegene (iaaM)

The effects of LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) emitting different colours namely red, blue, red andblue, and white lights on vegetative growth and fl ower initiation of Phalaenopsis have been evaluated.Phalaenopsis“otohine/taisuco fi re bird” seedlings in vitro were subjected to different light qualities for either2 or 4 weeks, and then each seedling was planted in a plastic pot containing sphagnum and grown in thegrowth chamber under similar light quality for 3 months. For fl ower induction, mature Phalaenopsis plantshaving 4 – 6 leaves were grown for 3 months in the growth chamber under different light qualities. The leafspan, chlorophyll, gibberellin and cytokinin content were determined. In addition, the expressions of FT-likegene in the leaf, axillary bud, fl ower bud and stalk were examined.Vegetative growth was enhanced under blue, red-blue or white LEDs compared to that of the control.Gibberellin and cytokinin content increased in the seedlings subjected to white LEDs. Based on the averageof leaf span increment it was suggested that the growth of Phalaenopsis seedlings can be promoted by givingeither blue, red-blue or white LEDs. From the second experiment, it was found that fl ower induction inPhalaenopsis can be obtained in plants that had just fi nished fl owering without the application of LEDs. Theexpression of FT-like gene in the leaf as well as fl ower bud and stalk suggests that this gene is involved infl ower regulation of Phalaenopsis.

Twenty six isolates of Streptomyces spp. obtained from Cyperus rotundus L. rhizosphere were tested forability to produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in yeast malt extract (YM) medium containing 2 mg/mL tryptophan.Screening of the isolates for ability to produce IAA was carried out by adding Salkowski reagent in bacteriaculture and was measured quantitatively by spectrophotometer at λ 530 nm. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)method was used to determine IAA. To ensure the IAA production in Streptomyces isolates, gene involved inIAA biosynthesis was detected by amplifying Tryptophan Monooxigenase (iaaM) gene. The study of the effectof tryptophan on the production of IAA was measured at different concentrations of tryptophan (0, 1, 2, 3,4, 5 mg/mL) in the bacterial culture. The result showed that there were two Streptomyces spp. isolates whichcould produce IAA, namely the isolates of Streptomyces sp. MS1 (125.48 μg/mL) and Streptomyces sp. BR27(104.13 μg/mL). The TLC result showed that the compound in both isolates was identifi ed to be IAA. Theamplifi cation results showed that iaaM gene was detected in both isolates. This results indicated that the IAMpathway is predicted involved in the biosynthesis of IAA in the selected isolates. Both of the isolates were ableto produce IAA after 24 h incubation and the highest production was at 120 h incubation with the concentrationof tryptophan was 2 mg/mL dan 1 mg/mL, respectively. Therefore, it is concluded that Streptomyces spp.isolates are able to produce IAA and potentially to be utilized as biostimulat agent.Keywords: Streptomyces spp., indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-acetamide (IAM), Tryptophan Monooxigenasegene (iaaM)

OsKANADI1 is considered as a florigen Hd3a interacting protein. To study the function of OsKANADI1, the expression pattern of OsKANADI1 was performed by semiquantitative RT-PCR with various wild-type tissues in the floral transition stage. The results demonstrated that OsKANADI1 was expressed in all organs of wild-type plants, but was highest in roots and leaves. We hypothesize that OsKANADI1 is a transcription factor in rice because it contains a GARP domain and posses a nuclear localization signal. To determine whether OsKANADI1 encodes a nuclear protein, full-length OsKANADI1 fused to GFP was introduced into onion epidermis cells by particle bombardment. The result revealed that OsKANADI1 was localized in the nucleus, suggesting that OsKANADI1 may be a transcription factor. Functional analysis was carried out using a reverse genetics approach to generate gain of function mutant (overexpression) and knockdown mutant (RNAi). The results showed that suppression of OsKANADI1 by RNAi displayed branching and increasing tiller number in several lines. This phenotype resembles to the Hd3a overexpressed plants indicating they possibly function in similar pathway.Key words : OsKANADI1, Transcription factor, Hd3a interacting protein, Rice

OsKANADI1 is considered as a florigen Hd3a interacting protein. To study the function of OsKANADI1, the expression pattern of OsKANADI1 was performed by semiquantitative RT-PCR with various wild-type tissues in the floral transition stage. The results demonstrated that OsKANADI1 was expressed in all organs of wild-type plants, but was highest in roots and leaves. We hypothesize that OsKANADI1 is a transcription factor in rice because it contains a GARP domain and posses a nuclear localization signal. To determine whether OsKANADI1 encodes a nuclear protein, full-length OsKANADI1 fused to GFP was introduced into onion epidermis cells by particle bombardment. The result revealed that OsKANADI1 was localized in the nucleus, suggesting that OsKANADI1 may be a transcription factor. Functional analysis was carried out using a reverse genetics approach to generate gain of function mutant (overexpression) and knockdown mutant (RNAi). The results showed that suppression of OsKANADI1 by RNAi displayed branching and increasing tiller number in several lines. This phenotype resembles to the Hd3a overexpressed plants indicating they possibly function in similar pathway. Key words : OsKANADI1, Transcription factor, Hd3a interacting protein, Rice