Systematic analyses of the <i>MIR172</i> family members of <i>Arabidopsis</i> define their distinct roles in regulation of <i>APETALA2</i> during floral transition



O'Maoileidigh, Diarmuid S, van Driel, Annabel D, Singh, Anamika, Sang, Qing, Le Bec, Nolwenn, Vincent, Coral, de Olalla, Enric Bertran Garcia, Vayssieres, Alice, Romera Branchat, Maida, Severing, Edouard
et al (show 2 more authors) (2021) Systematic analyses of the <i>MIR172</i> family members of <i>Arabidopsis</i> define their distinct roles in regulation of <i>APETALA2</i> during floral transition. PLOS BIOLOGY, 19 (2). e3001043-.

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Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in regulating flowering and reproduction of angiosperms. Mature miRNAs are encoded by multiple MIRNA genes that can differ in their spatiotemporal activities and their contributions to gene regulatory networks, but the functions of individual MIRNA genes are poorly defined. We functionally analyzed the activity of all 5 Arabidopsis thaliana MIR172 genes, which encode miR172 and promote the floral transition by inhibiting the accumulation of APETALA2 (AP2) and APETALA2-LIKE (AP2-LIKE) transcription factors (TFs). Through genome editing and detailed confocal microscopy, we show that the activity of miR172 at the shoot apex is encoded by 3 MIR172 genes, is critical for floral transition of the shoot meristem under noninductive photoperiods, and reduces accumulation of AP2 and TARGET OF EAT2 (TOE2), an AP2-LIKE TF, at the shoot meristem. Utilizing the genetic resources generated here, we show that the promotion of flowering by miR172 is enhanced by the MADS-domain TF FRUITFULL, which may facilitate long-term silencing of AP2-LIKE transcription, and that their activities are partially coordinated by the TF SQUAMOSA PROMOTER-BINDING-LIKE PROTEIN 15. Thus, we present a genetic framework for the depletion of AP2 and AP2-LIKE TFs at the shoot apex during floral transition and demonstrate that this plays a central role in floral induction.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Arabidopsis, Flowers, Meristem, Homeodomain Proteins, Arabidopsis Proteins, Transcription Factors, MicroRNAs, Gene Expression Regulation, Plant, Photoperiod
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 10 Feb 2021 11:29
Last Modified: 17 Oct 2023 10:03
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001043
Open Access URL: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3001043
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3115422