Abstract
Main conclusion
Lbr-miR172a could promote the growth phase transition and shorten maturation in Lilium, while LbrTOE3 inhibited this process and prolonged the growth period.
Abstract
Lilium is an ornamental flower with high economic value for both food and medicinal purposes. However, under natural conditions, Lilium bulbs take a long time and cost more to grow to commercial size. This research was conducted to shorten the maturation time by subjecting Lilium bulbs to alternating temperature treatment. To explore the molecular mechanism of the vegetative phase change (VPC) in Lilium after variable temperature treatment, the key module miR172a-TOE3 was selected based on a combined omics analysis. Gene cloning and transgene functional validation showed that overexpression of Lbr-mir172a promoted a phase change, while overexpression of LbrTOE3 inhibited this process. Subcellular localization and transcriptional activation assays indicated that LbrTOE3 was predominantly localized in the nucleus and showed transcriptional activity. In situ hybridization showed that LbrTOE3 expression was significantly downregulated after alternating temperature treatment. This study elucidates the molecular mechanisms of the phase transition of Lilium and provides a scientific basis for the phase transition in other plants.
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All data generated and analyzed during this study are included in this published article, and any additional data are available upon request.
Abbreviations
- AP2 :
-
APETALA2
- CK:
-
Control group
- CT:
-
Treated group
- OT:
-
Lilium: Oriental × Trumpet Lilium
- SPL:
-
SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE
- TOE:
-
TARGET OF EAT
- VPC:
-
Vegetative phase change
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Acknowledgements
The authors hope to express their appreciation to the reviewers for this manuscript. The pNC-Cam3304-MCS35S vector was kindly donated by Dr. Yan of the Institute of Tropical Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (ITBB, CATAS).
Funding
This project was supported by Beijing Innovation Consortium of Agriculture Research System (Grant No. BAIC09-2022) and The Project of Cultivation for young top-notch Talents of Beijing Municipal Institutions (Grant No. BPHR202203100).
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Wang, X., Li, Q., Zhu, H. et al. Molecular mechanisms of miR172a and its target gene LbrTOE3 regulating maturation in Lilium. Planta 258, 53 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-023-04208-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-023-04208-x