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Updated: Nov 7, 2025

Measuring Gene Expression in Bombarded Barley Aleurone Layers with Increased Throughput
Published on: March 30, 2018
Bract suppression regulated by the miR156/529-SPLs-NL1-PLA1 module is required for the transition from vegetative to
Lei Wang1, Luchang Ming1, Keyan Liao1
1National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Center of Plant Gene Research (Wuhan), Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
Abstract:
Reproductive transition of grasses is characterized by switching the pattern of lateral branches, featuring the suppression of outgrowth of the subtending leaves (bracts) and rapid formation of higher-order branches in the inflorescence (panicle). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying such changes remain largely unknown. Here, we show that bract suppression is required for the reproductive branching in rice. We identified a pathway involving the intrinsic time ruler microRNA156/529, their targets SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN LIKE (SPL) genes, NECK LEAF1 (NL1), and PLASTOCHRON1 (PLA1), which regulates the bract outgrowth and thus affects the pattern switch between vegetative and reproductive branching. Suppression of the bract results in global reprogramming of transcriptome and chromatin accessibility following the reproductive transition, while these processes are largely dysregulated in the mutants of these genes. These discoveries contribute to our understanding of the dynamic plant architecture and provide novel insights for improving crop yields.
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