Jasmonate inhibits plant growth and reduces gibberellin levels via microRNA5998 and transcription factor MYC2

Abstract

Jasmonate (JA) and gibberellins (GAs) exert antagonistic effects on plant growth and development in response to environmental and endogenous stimuli. Although the crosstalk between JA and GA has been elucidated, the role of JA in GA biosynthesis remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the mechanism underlying JA-mediated regulation of endogenous GA levels in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Transient and electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that transcription factor MYC2 regulates GA inactivation genes. Using transgenic plants, we further evaluated the contribution of MYC2 in regulating GA inactivation genes. JA treatment increased DELLA accumulation but did not inhibit DELLA protein degradation. Additionally, JA treatment decreased bioactive GA content, including GA4, significantly decreased the expression of GA biosynthesis genes, including ent-kaurene synthase (AtKS), GA 3β-hydroxylase (AtGA3ox1), and AtGA3ox2, and increased the expression of GA inactivation genes, including GA 2 oxidase (AtGA2ox4), AtGA2ox7, and AtGA2ox9. Conversely, JA treatment did not significantly affect gene expression in the myc2 myc3 myc4 triple mutant, demonstrating the MYC2-4-dependent effects of JA in GA biosynthesis. Additionally, JA post-transcriptionally regulated AtGA3ox1 expression. We identified microRNA miR5998 as an AtGA3ox1-associated miRNA; its overexpression inhibited plant growth by suppressing AtGA3ox1 expression. Overall, our findings indicate that JA treatment inhibits endogenous GA levels and plant growth by decreasing the expression of GA biosynthesis genes and increasing the expression of GA inactivation genes via miR5998 and MYC2 activities.