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CRISPR-induced miRNA156-recognition element mutations in TaSPL13 improve multiple agronomic traits in wheat
Ajay Gupta1, Lei Hua1, Zhengzhi Zhang2
1Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, USA.
Plant Biotechnology Journal
|November 20, 2022
Summary
Researchers modified wheat
Area of Science:
- Plant Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Agronomy
Background:
- Wheat genetic improvement aims to increase grain yield.
- SQUAMOSA promoter-binding protein-like (SPL) genes are key targets for improving rice yield.
- The role of SPL genes in wheat agronomic traits requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify wheat SPL gene orthologues.
- Investigate the function of TaSPL13 in wheat yield and architecture.
- Utilize CRISPR-Cas9 to generate TaSPL13 mutations.
Main Methods:
- Identified 56 wheat SPL gene orthologues.
- Generated TaSPL13 mutations using CRISPR-Cas9 targeting microRNA156 recognition elements (MRE).
- Phenotypically evaluated TaSPL13 mutants for flowering time, tiller number, plant height, grain size, and grain number.
Main Results:
- Confirmed nine TaSPL genes contain MREs, with TaSPL13 having MRE in the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR).
- TaSPL13 MRE mutations increased transcript levels and led to decreased flowering time, tiller number, and plant height.
- Mutations resulted in increased grain size and number, improving overall wheat yield potential.
Conclusions:
- TaSPL13 mutations offer a strategy to enhance wheat yield by increasing grain size and number.
- TaSPL13 mutants display combined phenotypes of Arabidopsis and rice SPL mutants.
- Generated TaSPL13 mutations are valuable for wheat breeding programs to improve agronomic traits.
