OsNPR1-OX changed auxin biosynthesis and response. A, OsNPR1 overexpression decreased free IAA levels in G312 and G316. Young uppermost internodes at the heading stage were collected for IAA extraction. B, Root growth inhibition by NAA in OsNPR1-OX and wild-type plants recorded and analyzed (n = 24) at day 7 after treatment. C, GUS staining and qRT-PCR analysis of GUS expression levels in the wild type (ZH11) and three DR5-GUS/OsNPR1-OX lines. Seedlings at 5 d after germination were incubated in GUS staining buffer for 4 h, indicating the decrease in GUS staining in DR5-GUS/OsNPR1-OX plants. D, Expression levels of GUS detected by qRT-PCR in RNA extracted from 3-week-old seedlings. The rice OsACTIN1 gene (Os03g50885) was used as an internal control. E, GUS staining of young uppermost nodes at the heading stage. Tissues were incubated in GUS staining buffer for 12 h. Note that GUS staining was decreased in the internodes and nodes of DR5-GUS/OsNPR1-OX. F, Exogenous application of IAA (1 nm) could partially restore the growth of OsNPR1-OX plants. Asterisks indicate significant differences in comparison with TP309 (A and F) or DR5-GUS (D; **, P < 0.01, Student’s t test).