Xiaodong He, Zhigang Zhao, Kun Shao, Xiaowen Yu, Ying Zhu, Jintao Tang, Jing Li, Yunhui Zhang, Keyu Zhao, Xiaoming Zheng, Hongru Wang, Chao Li, Xiangchao Gan, Xiaoou Dong, Yulong Ren, Yehui Xiong, Jian Wang, Yang Hu, Siqi Cheng, Bowen Yao, Yulu Ye, Song Guo, Yuantao Zhu, Ling He, Tiaofeng Shan, Chen Xu, Jinxuan Xu, Jiayu Lu, Dekun Lei, Anqi Jian, Junwen Gao, Song Cui, Gencheng Xu, Xiuping Guo, Xi Liu, Yunlu Tian, Shijia Liu, Ling Jiang, Xianneng Deng, Jiawu Zhou, Dayun Tao, Yonglun Zeng, Letian Chen, Chuanyin Wu, Haiyang Wang, Chaolong Wang, Jianmin Wan

Science; 2026; IF: 47.3

DOI:10.1126/science.aec5252

Abstract

Interspecific Asian–African hybrid rice could substantially boost yield but is limited by severe hybrid sterility. We identify RHS3 as a major quantitative trait locus controlling this trait. RHS3 encodes a tripartite toxin–antidote system composed of MAO, DUN, and JIA, in which MAO acts as a toxin that aborts gametes by disrupting mitochondrial function, whereas DUN and JIA function as antidotes that neutralize MAO toxicity, conferring a transmission advantage to the African allele. We demonstrate that detoxification relies on selective autophagy through formation of a tripartite JIA–DUN–MAO protein complex. We infer the de novo origin of RHS3 in the AA-genome rice lineage, illustrating a role for genetic conflict in speciation and suggesting strategies to harness heterosis between Asian and African rice.