1. Tomato floral induction and flower development are orchestrated by the interplay between gibberellin and two unrelated microRNA-controlled modules.
- Author
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Silva GFF, Silva EM, Correa JPO, Vicente MH, Jiang N, Notini MM, Junior AC, De Jesus FA, Castilho P, Carrera E, López-Díaz I, Grotewold E, Peres LEP, and Nogueira FTS
- Subjects
- Inflorescence growth & development, Meristem growth & development, MicroRNAs genetics, Models, Biological, Mutation genetics, Plant Proteins genetics, Plant Proteins metabolism, Flowers growth & development, Gibberellins metabolism, Solanum lycopersicum genetics, Solanum lycopersicum growth & development, MicroRNAs metabolism
- Abstract
Age-regulated microRNA156 (miR156) and targets similarly control the competence to flower in diverse species. By contrast, the diterpene hormone gibberellin (GA) and the microRNA319-regulated TEOSINTE BRANCHED/CYCLOIDEA/PCF (TCP) transcription factors promote flowering in the facultative long-day Arabidopsis thaliana, but suppress it in the day-neutral tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). We combined genetic and molecular studies and described a new interplay between GA and two unrelated miRNA-associated pathways that modulates tomato transition to flowering. Tomato PROCERA/DELLA activity is required to promote flowering along with the miR156-targeted SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING-LIKE (SPL/SBP) transcription factors by activating SINGLE FLOWER TRUSS (SFT) in the leaves and the MADS-Box gene APETALA1(AP1)/MC at the shoot apex. Conversely, miR319-targeted LANCEOLATE represses floral transition by increasing GA concentrations and inactivating SFT in the leaves and AP1/MC at the shoot apex. Importantly, the combination of high GA concentrations/responses with the loss of SPL/SPB function impaired canonical meristem maturation and flower initiation in tomato. Our results reveal a cooperative regulation of tomato floral induction and flower development, integrating age cues (miR156 module) with GA responses and miR319-controlled pathways. Importantly, this study contributes to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the effects of GA in controlling flowering time in a day-neutral species., (© 2018 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2018 New Phytologist Trust.)
- Published
- 2019
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