RMI1 is essential for maintaining rice genome stability at high temperature

SUMMARY Heat is a critical environmental stress for plant survival. One of its harmful effects on the cells is the disruption of genome integrity. However, the mechanisms by which plants cope with heat‐induced DNA damage remain largely unknown. RMI1, a component of the RTR (RECQ4‐TOP3α‐RMI1) complex, plays a pivotal role in maintaining genome stability. In this study, we identified the target gene RMI1 by characterizing a high‐temperature‐sensitive mutant. The growth and development of rmi1‐1 seedlings carrying a non‐frameshift mutation in RMI1 were hindered at 38°C. Abnormal mitotic chromosome behaviours ultimately led to the cell death of root tips. Additionally, the presence of chromosome fragments during anaphase I caused pollen abortion and sterility in rmi1‐1 plants. Yeast two‐hybrid assays revealed that the interactions between RMI1‐1 and RECQ4 or TOP3α were weakened with increasing temperature and entirely ceased at 36°C. In contrast, the functional RMI1 maintained its interactions with RECQ4 or TOP3α under the same conditions. These results indicate that the non‐frameshift mutation in RMI1 disrupts the formation of the RTR complex at high temperatures, leading to defects in DNA repair and increased sensitivity of rmi1‐1 under heat stress. However, embryos of the rmi1‐cr2 mutant with a frameshift mutation in RMI1 exhibited complete lethality. In addition, the overexpression of RMI1 enhanced the heat tolerance in rice. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms that RMI1 responds to high temperatures by maintaining genome stability in rice.