Tomato floral induction and flower development are orchestrated by the interplay between gibberellin and two unrelated microRNA-controlled modules

Author(s):Show less -

Silva, Geraldo F. F. ^[1] ; Silva, Eder M. ^[1] ; Correa, Joao P. O. ^[1] ; Vicente, Mateus H. ^[2] ; Jiang, Nan ^[3] ; Notini, Marcela M. ^[1] ; Junior, Airton C. ^[1] ; De Jesus, Frederico A. ^[2] ; Castilho, Pollyanna ^[1] ; Carrera, Esther ^[4] ; Lopez-Diaz, Isabel ^[4] ; Grotewold, Erich ^[3] ; Peres, Lazaro E. P. ^[2] ; Nogueira, Fabio T. S. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Super Agr Luiz de Queiroz ESALQ, Lab Mol Genet Plant Dev, BR-13418900 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Super Agr Luiz de Queiroz ESALQ, Lab Hormonal Control Plant Dev, BR-13418900 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

^[3] Michigan State Univ, Dept Biochem & Mol Biol, E Lansing, MI 48824 - USA

^[4] Univ Politecn Valencia, CSIC, Inst Biol Mol & Celular Plantas, Ingeniero Fausto Elio S-N, E-46022 Valencia - Spain

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: NEW PHYTOLOGIST; v. 221, n. 3, p. 1328-1344, FEB 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 8

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-Boxgene 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. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/16949-0 - Plant architecture regulation of tomato by the pathway miR156-SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL)
• Grantee: Geraldo Felipe Ferreira e Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 15/23826-7 - The interplay between GA (gibberellin) and AGE (miR156 node) pathways controlling tomato flowering
• Grantee: Geraldo Felipe Ferreira e Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 15/17892-7 - Functional study of the miR159- and miR319-regulated pathways during tomato flower and fruit development
• Grantee: Fabio Tebaldi Silveira Nogueira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants