每穗粒数是水稻等禾本科粮食作物产量构成的关键因素之一，影响每穗粒数的基因数量庞大且涉及多个调控途径。然而，目前真正在生产中应用的基因相对较少。先前的研究中，我们鉴定了5个等突变体，都表现为枝梗数目和每穗粒数极显著提高，故命名为超级枝梗基因SUPER BRANCH1(SB1)；该基因编码一个新的RING-like锌指蛋白，初步研究表明其可能通过参与生长素合成途径调控水稻穗枝梗的发生，然而背后的分子机制并不清楚。本项目中，我们将结合表型分析、激素相关途径检测、转录组、互作蛋白筛选、靶基因分析等手段，深入研究SB1在水稻穗发育调控网络中的功能；然后针对SB1基因功能进行科学合理的分子设计，为水稻每穗粒数的分子育种提供新的理论依据和技术支持。

Grain number per panicle, one of key factors influencing yield in rice and other crops, is regulated by dozens of genes involving in several deferent pathways. However, gene resources which have been applied to improve yield in production practice are still relatively insufficient. In previous study, we identified 5 allelic mutants of SUPER BRANCH 1 (SB1) gene, characterized by significant increase of numbers of branch and spikelet (grain). SB1 gene encodes a new RING-like zinc finger protein, and might regulate branch formation via participating in auxin biosynthesis. However, it is still unknown what the molecular mechanism is. In this project, the molecular function of SB1 gene in the regulation network of rice panicle development is expected to be uncovered in detail by applying various technologies or methods, involving in phenotype analysis, detecting of hormone-related pathway, transcriptome analysis, protein interaction analysis and target gene analysis, etc; and then the gene will be designed by modifying its function and/or expression pattern to support the molecular design of breeding of grain number per panicle in rice.