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DROOPY LEAF1 controls leaf architecture by orchestrating early brassinosteroid signaling
Meicheng Zhao1,2, Sha Tang2, Haoshan Zhang2
1Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Laboratory of Agricultural Water-Saving, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 050021 Shijiazhuang, China.
Summary
DROOPY LEAF1 (DPY1) regulates brassinosteroid signaling to control leaf architecture in grasses. Loss of DPY1 causes droopy leaves, while its overexpression improves upright growth and yield potential.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Genetics
- Crop Science
Background:
- Leaf architecture is critical for crop canopy structure and grain yield.
- Leaf droopiness, a key trait in cereal leaf architecture, lacks clear genetic and molecular understanding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the genetic basis and molecular mechanism of leaf droopiness in Panicoideae grasses.
- To elucidate the role of DROOPY LEAF1 (DPY1) in regulating brassinosteroid (BR) signaling and leaf architecture.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the function of DPY1, an LRR receptor-like kinase, in the model grass *Setaria*.
- Analyzed loss-of-function mutations and overexpression of DPY1.
- Examined interactions with BR signaling components like SiBAK1 and SiBRI1.
Main Results:
- Loss-of-function mutations in DPY1 resulted in malformed vascular sclerenchyma, reduced lignin, and extreme leaf droopiness.
- DPY1 negatively regulates BR signaling by competing with SiBAK1, reducing SiBRI1 interaction and phosphorylation.
- DPY1 accumulation and interaction affinity increase under BR treatment, preventing BR signaling overactivation.
- Overexpression of DPY1 led to upright leaves, thicker stems, and larger panicles, indicating yield improvement potential.
- The maize ortholog of DPY1 rescued the droopy phenotype in *dpy1* mutants, confirming conserved function.
Conclusions:
- DPY1 acts as a negative feedback regulator in BR signaling, preventing overresponse and maintaining upright leaf architecture.
- DPY1 plays a crucial role in controlling leaf droopiness and has potential applications in improving crop yield.
- The function of DPY1 in regulating leaf architecture is conserved in Panicoideae grasses.
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