Query (optional)   in Class  

GrainGenes Reference Report: DEV-144-1966

[Submit comment/correction]

Reference
DEV-144-1966
Title
microRNA172 plays a crucial role in wheat spike morphogenesis and grain threshability.
Journal
Development
Year
2017
Volume
144
Pages
1966-1975
Author
Debernardi JM
Lin H
Chuck G
Faris JD
Dubcovsky J
Abstract
Wheat domestication from wild species involved mutations in the Q gene. The q allele (wild wheats) is associated with elongated spikes and hulled grains, whereas the mutant Q allele (domesticated wheats) confers subcompact spikes and free-threshing grains. Previous studies showed that Q encodes an AP2-like transcription factor, but the causal polymorphism of the domestication traits remained unclear. Here, we show that the interaction between microRNA172 (miR172) and the Q allele is reduced by a single nucleotide polymorphism in the miRNA binding site. Inhibition of miR172 activity by a miRNA target mimic resulted in compact spikes and transition from glumes to florets in apical spikelets. By contrast, overexpression of miR172 was sufficient to induce elongated spikes and non-free-threshing grains, similar to those observed in three Q loss-of-function mutations. These lines showed transitions from florets to glumes in the basal spikelets. These localized homeotic changes were associated with opposing miR172/Q gradients along the spike. We propose that the selection of a nucleotide change at the miR172 binding site of Q contributed to subcompact spikes and free-threshing grains during wheat domestication.
External Databases
Pubmed: 28455375
https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.146399
Allele
q (Triticum)
Q (Triticum)
Gene
Q (Triticum)
miR172 (Triticum)
Gene Class
APETALA2-like
Spelt
Keyword
AP2
[ Show all 6 ]

GrainGenes is a product of the Agricultural Research Service of the US Department of Agriculture.