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SPL13 controls tomato lateral branch outgrowth by regulating brassinosteroid biosynthesis and signal transduction
Long Cui1,2, Fangyan Zheng1,2, Lesong Jia1
1Ganzhou Key Laboratory of Greenhouse Vegetables, College of Life Sciences, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, China.
The miR156a-targeted transcription factor SlSPL13 regulates tomato plant architecture by controlling lateral branching. It activates BRANCHED1b and inhibits DWARF, impacting brassinosteroid levels and growth.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Plant architecture significantly influences fruit production in crops like tomato (Solanum lycopersicum).
- MicroRNA156a (miR156a) is known to regulate tomato lateral branching by controlling SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN LIKE 13 (SPL13) expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the regulatory pathway of the miR156a-SPL13 module in controlling tomato lateral branch development.
- To investigate the relationship between SPL13 and BRANCHED1b (BRC1b) and DWARF (DWF) genes in regulating plant architecture.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the interaction of SPL13 with the promoters of BRC1b and DWF.
- Analyzed the effects of BRC1b overexpression and DWF knockout on spl13 mutant phenotypes.
- Measured brassinosteroid (BR) content in spl13 mutant plants.
Main Results:
- SPL13 directly regulates BRC1b and DWF gene expression, enhancing BRC1b and inhibiting DWF.
- BRC1b overexpression or DWF knockout rescues the excessive lateral branching in spl13 mutants.
- Brassinosteroid (BR) levels are elevated in spl13 mutants, indicating SPL13 negatively regulates BR biosynthesis.
Conclusions:
- SPL13 acts as a key regulator of tomato plant architecture by modulating lateral branch outgrowth.
- SPL13 functions as an activator of the BR signaling downstream gene BRC1b and a repressor of the BR biosynthesis gene DWF.
- The miR156a-SPL13 module provides fine-tuning of tomato plant architecture through brassinosteroid signaling pathways.
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