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miR164c-CUC2 Module Modulates Salinity Stress Tolerance in Soybean by Regulating Abscisic Acid Signalling and
Shi-Jia Wang1, Tai-Fei Yu1, Shu-Yu Wu1
1State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.
Plant, Cell & Environment
|May 12, 2026
Summary
Soybean microRNA164c (miR164c) enhances salt tolerance by suppressing GmCUC2, a negative regulator of abscisic acid (ABA) signaling and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging. This reveals a novel mechanism for improving soybean salinity resistance.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Genetics
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Soil salinization poses a significant threat to soybean production, inhibiting growth and development.
- MicroRNA164 (miR164) plays a role in plant salinity stress responses, but its specific regulatory mechanisms in soybean are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the regulatory role of gma-miR164c in soybean salinity stress tolerance.
- To identify the target genes and molecular pathways regulated by gma-miR164c under salinity stress.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a field salinity pond system and CRISPR/Cas9 multiplex editing for genetic manipulation.
- Conducted comprehensive analyses including gene expression profiling, co-expression analysis, and dual-luciferase assays.
- Investigated the roles of target genes in abscisic acid (ABA) signaling and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging.
Main Results:
- gma-miR164c knockout increased salt sensitivity, while its overexpression enhanced tolerance.
- Identified CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON 2 (GmCUC2) as a direct target of gma-miR164c; GmCUC2 overexpression compromised salt tolerance.
- Demonstrated that gma-miR164c negatively regulates ABA signaling and ROS scavenging by targeting GmCUC2, which in turn targets GmCAR1 and GmCAR2.
Conclusions:
- gma-miR164c enhances soybean salinity tolerance by suppressing the negative regulator GmCUC2, thereby promoting ABA signaling and ROS scavenging.
- This study provides crucial mechanistic insights into soybean's response to salinity stress.
- Identified gma-miR164c and its regulatory pathway as valuable genetic resources for developing salt-tolerant soybean varieties.
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