Gibberellin and the microRNA156/SlSBP module synergistically regulate tomato floral meristem activity and fruit patterning
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ABSTRACT: Most developmental processes associated with fruit patterning take place at the floral meristem (FM). Age-regulated microRNA156 (miR156) and gibberellins (GA) integrate to control flowering time, but it is unclear how GA and miR156 interplay during fruit patterning. Here, we used genetic, molecular, and imaging tools to demonstrate that GA and age synergistically control tomato reproductive development. We found that low levels of miR156-targeted SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN–LIKE (SPL/SBP) transcripts or high GA responses/levels led to enlarged FMs, defects in FM determinacy, and fruits with increased locule number. Conversely, low GA responses reduced locule number and indeterminacy, and the expression of a miR156-resistant form of SlSBP15 (rSBP15) reduces FM size by decreasing cell size and cell number. Importantly, we discovered that GA levels/responses may be partially responsible for the fruit defects observed in 156OE and rSBP15 plants. GA and miR156-targeted SlSBPs regulate classical genes associated with floral determinacy, such as CRABS CLAWa (SlCRCa), and GA and SlSBPs act synergistically with tomato CLAVATA3 (SlCLV3) to control early flower and fruit development. Our findings indicate that gibberellins and age-dependent miR156-targeted SlSBPs co-operate to regulate FM activity and locule formation, thereby offering a novel mechanism of controlling fruit patterning.
ORGANISM(S): Solanum lycopersicum
PROVIDER: GSE223674 | GEO | 2023/07/25
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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