MicroRNA156 and its targeted SPL genes interact with the photoperiod, vernalization, and gibberellin pathways to regulate wheat heading time.

ABSTRACT: Heading time has a large impact on adaptation to different environments and crop productivity. In this study, we characterized the effect of the endogenous age pathway on heading time and its interactions with the photoperiod and vernalization pathways in the leaves of tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum). Plants with reduced levels of microRNA156 or increased expression of its downstream targets, the SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE genes SPL3, SPL4, and SPL13 exhibited accelerated heading time, with stronger effects under suboptimal inductive conditions. Earlier heading was associated with the upregulation of miR172 and flowering-promoting genes VRN1, FUL2, and FT1 and the downregulation of flowering-repressing genes AP2L1 and VRN2. Additionally, we uncovered complex int

SUBMITTER: Liu Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12790879 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature