PONE-D-19-16776

Genetic analysis and fine mapping of a qualitative trait locus wpb1 for albino panicle branches in rice

PLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Luo,

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Maoteng Li

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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Reviewers' comments:

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Comments to the Author

1. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

The manuscript must describe a technically sound piece of scientific research with data that supports the conclusions. Experiments must have been conducted rigorously, with appropriate controls, replication, and sample sizes. The conclusions must be drawn appropriately based on the data presented.

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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3. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available?

The PLOS Data policy requires authors to make all data underlying the findings described in their manuscript fully available without restriction, with rare exception (please refer to the Data Availability Statement in the manuscript PDF file). The data should be provided as part of the manuscript or its supporting information, or deposited to a public repository. For example, in addition to summary statistics, the data points behind means, medians and variance measures should be available. If there are restrictions on publicly sharing data—e.g. participant privacy or use of data from a third party—those must be specified.

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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4. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English?

PLOS ONE does not copyedit accepted manuscripts, so the language in submitted articles must be clear, correct, and unambiguous. Any typographical or grammatical errors should be corrected at revision, so please note any specific errors here.

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

Please use the space provided to explain your answers to the questions above. You may also include additional comments for the author, including concerns about dual publication, research ethics, or publication ethics. (Please upload your review as an attachment if it exceeds 20,000 characters)

Reviewer #1: The linkage map of wpg1 gene was constructed and it was demonstrated that the 17 genes were predicted within candidate gene region on the chromosome. It was inferred the cause gene corresponding to wpg1 mutation functions the chloroplast development by the expression analysis of some genes and microscopy analyses. These analyses and the discussion can be appreciated.

However, this reviewer has the questions about the following points.

-P13, line 14-16

It is described as “The results suggested that the mutation of WPB1 severely impairs chloroplast development, chlorophyll biosynthesis, and photosynthesis in the panicle branches of wpb1”. The reason why “the wpb1 gene may involve in the regulation pathway of the chloroplast development” only by the results of enzyme activity should be explained.

-Annotation list of the predicted gene

Annotation list of the predicted genes shown in Fig3C and TableS3 should be shown. After that, the function of the candidate genes regulating the chloroplast development should be explained. Even when it is difficult to discuss by only annotation of gene, the authors should refer to the effect.

Reviewer #2: Comments:

1. P4, Ln3-4:the sentence "Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) is a rapid method for locating target trait genes in lettuce" is not very suitable, it can be modified to "Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) is a rapid method for locating target trait genes and it was initially used in lettuce".

2.P16, Ln12-22, the authors concluded wpb1 and wp3 not the same locates due to their different genotype. however, wpb1 is very nearby to wp3 (14 kb). So it had better to detect whether the sequence of wp3(Os01g0306650) are different in wbp1 mutant and nipponbare, and the candidate recombiant lines.

3. P16, ln23-24: While the albino streaked leaf of wpb1 is controlled by the same recessive nuclear gene. the sentence is obscure. it had better modifed to "Whereas the phenotypes of albino streaked leaf and albino panicles of wpb1 are controlled by the same recessive nuclear gene. on the other hand, the authors cannot conclude albino streaked leaf and albino panicles of wpb1 is controled by the same gene at present. whether wpb1 is one gene with multiple effects?

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: No

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Genetic analysis and fine mapping of a qualitative trait locus wpb1 for albino panicle branches in rice

PONE-D-19-16776R1

Dear Dr. Luo,

We are pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it complies with all outstanding technical requirements.

Within one week, you will receive an e-mail containing information on the amendments required prior to publication. When all required modifications have been addressed, you will receive a formal acceptance letter and your manuscript will proceed to our production department and be scheduled for publication.

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With kind regards,

Maoteng Li

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. If the authors have adequately addressed your comments raised in a previous round of review and you feel that this manuscript is now acceptable for publication, you may indicate that here to bypass the “Comments to the Author” section, enter your conflict of interest statement in the “Confidential to Editor” section, and submit your "Accept" recommendation.

Reviewer #1: All comments have been addressed

Reviewer #2: All comments have been addressed

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2. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

The manuscript must describe a technically sound piece of scientific research with data that supports the conclusions. Experiments must have been conducted rigorously, with appropriate controls, replication, and sample sizes. The conclusions must be drawn appropriately based on the data presented.

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

**********

3. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

**********

4. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available?

The PLOS Data policy requires authors to make all data underlying the findings described in their manuscript fully available without restriction, with rare exception (please refer to the Data Availability Statement in the manuscript PDF file). The data should be provided as part of the manuscript or its supporting information, or deposited to a public repository. For example, in addition to summary statistics, the data points behind means, medians and variance measures should be available. If there are restrictions on publicly sharing data—e.g. participant privacy or use of data from a third party—those must be specified.

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

**********

5. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English?

PLOS ONE does not copyedit accepted manuscripts, so the language in submitted articles must be clear, correct, and unambiguous. Any typographical or grammatical errors should be corrected at revision, so please note any specific errors here.

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

**********

6. Review Comments to the Author

Please use the space provided to explain your answers to the questions above. You may also include additional comments for the author, including concerns about dual publication, research ethics, or publication ethics. (Please upload your review as an attachment if it exceeds 20,000 characters)

Reviewer #1: The manuscript has been revised adequately according to reviewer's comments. I didn't have an additional comment.

Reviewer #2: (No Response)

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7. PLOS authors have the option to publish the peer review history of their article (what does this mean?). If published, this will include your full peer review and any attached files.

If you choose “no”, your identity will remain anonymous but your review may still be made public.

Do you want your identity to be public for this peer review? For information about this choice, including consent withdrawal, please see our Privacy Policy.

Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes: Aihua Sha