OsMED14_2, a tail module subunit of Mediator complex, controls rice development and involves jasmonic acid

The Mediator complex is essential for eukaryotic transcription, yet its role and the function of its individual subunits in plants, especially in rice, remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate the function of OsMED14_2, a subunit of the Mediator tail module, in rice development. Overexpression and knockout of OsMED14_2 resulted in notable changes in panicle morphology and grain size. Microscopic analysis revealed impact of overexpression on pollen maturation, reflected by reduced viability, irregular shapes, and aberrant intine development. OsMED14_2 was found to interact with proteins involved in pollen development, namely, OsMADS62, OsMADS63 and OsMADS68, and its overexpression negatively affected the expression of OsMADS68 and the expression of other genes involved in intine development, including OsCAP1, OsGCD1, OsRIP1, and OsCPK29. Additionally, we found that OsMED14_2 overexpression influences jasmonic acid (JA) homeostasis, affecting bioactive JA levels, and expression of OsJAZ genes. Our data suggest OsMED14_2 may act as a regulator of JA-responsive genes through its interactions with OsHDAC6 and OsJAZ repressors. These findings contribute to better understanding of the Mediator complex's role in plant traits regulation. •Involvement of the Mediator subunit OsMED14_2 in various aspects of rice development has been revealed.•Overexpression of OsMED14_2 affects JA (jasmonic acid) signalling and modulates bioactive JA levels.•OsMED14_2 interacts with multiple OsJAZ repressors and epigenetic regulator OsHDAC6.•OsMED14_2 regulates pollen maturation by interacting with OsMADS68, and possibly by regulating its expression.