Integrative transcriptome analysis uncovers common components containing CPS2 regulated by maize lncRNA GARR2 in...

Area of Science:

• Plant molecular biology
• Genetics
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial regulators in biological processes.
• The gibberellin (GA) pathway is vital for plant development, but lncRNA involvement is poorly understood.
• GIBBERELLIN RESPONSIVE lncRNA2 (GARR2) is a known GA-responsive lncRNA in maize.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of lncRNA GARR2 in regulating the GA biosynthesis pathway.
• To identify genes and regulatory networks modulated by GARR2 in response to GA.
• To elucidate the function of GARR2 in plant growth and development.

Main Methods:

• Identification and characterization of a novel GARR2-edited line (garr2-1).
• Transcriptome analysis of GARR2-edited lines to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs).
• Integrative analysis of transcriptome data from independent GARR2-edited lines (GARR2KO and garr2-1).

Main Results:

• The garr2-1 line exhibited GA-induced phenotypes, including increased seedling height and leaf sheath length.
• Transcriptome analysis revealed elevated expression of key GA biosynthesis genes, including CPS2, KS4, KS6, KO2, and KAO1/D3, in garr2-1.
• Integrative analysis identified 320 common DEGs enriched in the diterpenoid biosynthetic pathway, with CPS2 consistently upregulated.
• Upregulation of CPS2 was linked to the observed GA-induced slender seedling phenotype.

Conclusions:

• lncRNA GARR2 plays a significant role in the GA response pathway.
• GARR2 regulates the expression of GA biosynthesis genes, particularly CPS2, contributing to plant growth.
• This study provides a valuable resource for understanding lncRNA-mediated regulation of GA response.