MiR156/SPL regulatory pathway controls vegetative development, flowering time and drought tolerance in alfalfa
Citation
MiR156/SPL regulatory pathway controls vegetative development, flowering time and drought tolerance in alfalfa
Plain language summary
MicroRNA156 (miR156) is one of the most conserved and ubiquitous microRNAs in plants. Overexpression of miR156 in plants results in dramatic morphological changes relating to altered transitions from juvenile-to-adult vegetative and vegetative-to-reproductive stages. MiR156 downregulates a number of SPL (SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN LIKE) genes via transcript cleavage. SPLs in turn function by regulating a network of downstream genes characterized by the presence of a unique cis-acting element (SBP box) in their promoters. In Medicago sativa (alfalfa), miR156 overexpression (miR156OE) produced several positive traits, including a 2-fold increase in vegetative biomass, delayed flowering, enhanced shoot branching, improved cell wall composition, increased root length and enhanced drought tolerance. In this study we aimed to identify SPL genes regulated by miR156 and to investigate their functions in alfalfa.
Abstract
MicroRNA156 (miR156) is one of the most conserved and ubiquitous microRNAs in plants. Overexpression of miR156 in plants results in dramatic morphological changes relating to altered transitions from juvenile-to-adult vegetative and vegetative-to-reproductive stages. MiR156 downregulates a number of SPL (SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN LIKE) genes via transcript cleavage. SPLs in turn function by regulating a network of downstream genes characterized by the presence of a unique cis-acting element (SBP box) in their promoters. In Medicago sativa (alfalfa), miR156 overexpression (miR156OE) produced several positive traits, including a 2-fold increase in vegetative biomass, delayed flowering, enhanced shoot branching, improved cell wall composition, increased root length and enhanced drought tolerance. In this study we aimed to identify SPL genes regulated by miR156 and to investigate their functions in alfalfa.