Journal of Integrative Agriculture (Apr 2023)

The miR164-TaNAC14 module regulates root development and abiotic-stress tolerance in wheat seedlings

  • Qing CHI,
  • Lin-ying DU,
  • Wen MA,
  • Ruo-yu NIU,
  • Bao-wei WU,
  • Li-jian GUO,
  • Meng MA,
  • Xiang-li LIU,
  • Hui-xian ZHAO

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 4
pp. 981 – 998

Abstract

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Previous studies have revealed the miR164 family and the miR164-targeted NAC transcription factor genes in rice (Oryza sativa) and Arabidopsis that play versatile roles in developmental processes and stress responses. In wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), we found nine genetic loci of tae-miR164 (tae-MIR164 a to i) producing two mature sequences that down-regulate the expression of three newly identified target genes of TaNACs (TaNAC1, TaNAC11, and TaNAC14) by the cleavage of the respective mRNAs. Overexpression of tae-miR164 or one of its target genes (TaNAC14) demonstrated that the miR164-TaNAC14 module greatly affects root growth and development and stress (drought and salinity) tolerance in wheat seedlings, and TaNAC14 promotes root growth and development in wheat seedlings and enhances drought tolerance, while tae-miR164 inhibits root development and reduces drought and salinity tolerance by down-regulating the expression of TaNAC14. These findings identify the miR164-TaNAC14 module as well as other tae-miR164-regulated genes which can serve as new genetic resources for stress-resistance wheat breeding.

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