MIR166/165 genes exhibit dynamic expression patterns in regulating shoot apical meristem and floral development in Arabidopsis

Planta. 2007 May;225(6):1327-38. doi: 10.1007/s00425-006-0439-1. Epub 2006 Nov 16.

Abstract

The miR166/165 group and its target genes regulate diverse aspects of plant development, including apical and lateral meristem formation, leaf polarity, and vascular development. We demonstrate here that MIR166/165 genes are dynamically controlled in regulating shoot apical meristem (SAM) and floral development in parallel to the WUSCHEL (WUS)-CLAVATA (CLV) pathway. Although miR166 and miR165 cleave same target mRNAs, individual MIR166/165 genes exhibit distinct expression domains in different plant tissues. The MIR166/165 expression is also temporarily regulated. Consistent with the dynamic expression patterns, an array of alterations in SAM activities and floral architectures was observed in the miR166/165-overproducing plants. In addition, when a MIR166a-overexpressing mutant was genetically crossed with mutants defective in the WUS-CLV pathway, the resultant crosses exhibited additive phenotypic effects, suggesting that the miR166/165-mediated signal exerts its role via a distinct signaling pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / genetics*
  • Arabidopsis / growth & development*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism
  • Base Sequence
  • Flowers / growth & development*
  • Flowers / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant*
  • Genes, Plant / genetics*
  • Meristem / growth & development*
  • Meristem / metabolism
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Plant / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Plant