The present invention relates to a novel gene encoding cysteine protease
expressed specifically in rice anther, an anther-specific promoter of the
gene and a method for producing male sterile rice by suppressing
expression of the gene. The rCysP1 gene of the present invention is a
novel gene encoding cysteine protease that is expressed in rice anther
and thus involved in pollen development. Therefore, suppression of the
gene expression makes it possible to prepare male sterile rice available
to control of seed production because the suppression results in pollen
generation in rice. In addition, the above gene of the present invention
is available to other Gramineae and provides an advantage to use
antagonistic traits, which can be shown by over-expression.
