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Published on: March 29, 2019
The miR167-ARF8 module coordinates stamen-pistil development and fruit set in tomato
Nave Man1, Naama Teboul1, Amir Bahu1
1The Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, the Hebrew University, PO Box 12, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel.
The SlmiR167-SlARF8 gene module in tomato regulates flower development and fruit set. Gene duplication allows fine-tuning of auxin signaling for robust reproduction, impacting fruit yield, especially under cold stress.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Genetics
- Reproductive Development
Background:
- Auxin signaling is crucial for plant reproductive development.
- The AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR (ARF) gene family has expanded in flowering plants.
- Tomato possesses two copies of ARF8, regulated by miR167.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the role of the SlmiR167-SlARF8 module in tomato flower development and fruit set.
- Characterize the functions of duplicated SlARF8 genes and their regulation by SlmiR167.
Main Methods:
- Generated mutants in 5 SlmiR167 and 2 SlARF8 genes.
- Analyzed flower development and fruit set in various mutant combinations.
- Studied the regulatory interactions within the SlmiR167-SlARF8 module.
Main Results:
- The SlmiR167-SlARF8 module significantly impacts flower organ development and fruit set.
- SlARF8 paralogs exhibit overlapping and distinct roles in stamen, pistil, and stigma development.
- SlARF8B uniquely inhibits anther dehiscence.
- Loss of SlARF8B in a Slmir167a background induced rapid, fertilization-independent fruit set, particularly under cold stress, due to SlARF8A deregulation.
Conclusions:
- Gene duplication in the miR167-ARF8 module allows for precise regulation of auxin signaling.
- This fine-tuning ensures coordinated and robust reproductive development in tomato.
- The findings have implications for controlling fruit set and yield, especially under environmental stress.
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