BECLIN1 from Arabidopsis thaliana under the generic control of regulated expression systems, a strategy for developing male sterile plants.

Induction of male sterility followed by successful outcrossing is a prerequisite for hybrid seed production. In this article, we have identified a novel use of the BECLIN 1 gene of Arabidopsis, in inducing male sterility in plants, when expressed in the anther tapetum of tobacco. We also report a stringently regulated and high-level expression of the desired gene in tapetum by using a two-component transcription regulation system. The tapetum-specific, two-component transcription system utilizes the TGTA-TBPm³ complementation principle that has been demonstrated by us earlier. We also report a glucocorticoid-dependent expression of AtBECLIN 1 in tapetum, thereby developing glucocorticoid-inducible male sterility in plants.