The interplay between miR156/SPL13 and DFR/WD40-1 regulate drought tolerance in alfalfa.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Developing Medicago sativa L. (alfalfa) cultivars tolerant to drought is critical for the crop's sustainable production. miR156 regulates various plant biological functions by silencing SQUAMOSA-PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL) transcription factors. RESULTS:To understand the mechanism of miR156-modulated drought stress tolerance in alfalfa we used genotypes with altered expression levels of miR156, miR156-regulated SPL13, and DIHYDROFLAVONOL-4-REDUCTASE (DFR) regulating WD40-1. Previously we reported the involvement of miR156 in drought tolerance, but the mechanism and downstream genes involved in this process were not fully studied. Here we illustrate the interplay between miR156/SPL13 and WD40-1/DFR to regulate drought stress by coordinating gene expression with metabolite

SUBMITTER: Feyissa BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6802326 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature