2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) The rice Lpal gene sequence will be determined and the mutation in the Lpal gene resulting in low phytic acid phenotype will be determined. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Cloning the rice Lpal gene as a step towards understanding phytic acid metabolism in plants. Documents Reimbursable with NRI. Log 27762. 3.Progress Report This report serves to document research conducted under a reimbursable agreement between ARS and the USDA-CSREES National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program – Genetic Processes and Mechanisms of Crop Plants. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent CRIS 5306-21000-016-00D Rice Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement for Temperate Environments. This project was initiated July 1, 2005. The objective of this project is to clone and characterize the rice Lpa1 gene, which was previously identified through mutation. Rice plants that are lpa1 mutants have a significant reduction in the phosphorus storage molecule, phytic acid, with a corresponding increase in inorganic phosphate. Earlier work in our lab resulted in the identification of a 47 kb region on chromosome 2 containing the Lpa1 locus. During FY 2007, work to identify the gene was carried out that resulted in the identification of the putative rice Lpa1 gene by positional cloning and sequencing of candidate genes from two independently derived low phytic acid rice mutants. The low phytic trait exhibited by these mutants was shown to involve the same gene by genetic crossing and mapping. The two mutants have single DNA base differences (one base substitution and one base deletion) from that of rice plants with normal phytic acid levels. Genetic transformation experiments are underway to provide definitive proof of the Lpa1 gene identification. The goal of these experiments is to introduce normal copies of the Lpa1 gene into low phytic acid mutants in order to restore normal levels. One postdoctoral research affiliate continues to assist in this research. The Ph.D. student on the project has completed her research activities and is no longer actively participating in the project.