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Specification of female germline by microRNA orchestrated auxin signaling in Arabidopsis

Author

Listed:
  • Jian Huang

    (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
    T3 Bioscience LLC)

  • Lei Zhao

    (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
    Beijing Genesee Biotech, Inc)

  • Shikha Malik

    (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
    Iowa State University)

  • Benjamin R. Gentile

    (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee)

  • Va Xiong

    (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee)

  • Tzahi Arazi

    (Institute of Plant Sciences, ARO, Volcani Center)

  • Heather A. Owen

    (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee)

  • Jiří Friml

    (Institute of Science and Technology (IST) Austria)

  • Dazhong Zhao

    (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee)

Abstract

Germline determination is essential for species survival and evolution in multicellular organisms. In most flowering plants, formation of the female germline is initiated with specification of one megaspore mother cell (MMC) in each ovule; however, the molecular mechanism underlying this key event remains unclear. Here we report that spatially restricted auxin signaling promotes MMC fate in Arabidopsis. Our results show that the microRNA160 (miR160) targeted gene ARF17 (AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR17) is required for promoting MMC specification by genetically interacting with the SPL/NZZ (SPOROCYTELESS/NOZZLE) gene. Alterations of auxin signaling cause formation of supernumerary MMCs in an ARF17- and SPL/NZZ-dependent manner. Furthermore, miR160 and ARF17 are indispensable for attaining a normal auxin maximum at the ovule apex via modulating the expression domain of PIN1 (PIN-FORMED1) auxin transporter. Our findings elucidate the mechanism by which auxin signaling promotes the acquisition of female germline cell fate in plants.

Suggested Citation

  • Jian Huang & Lei Zhao & Shikha Malik & Benjamin R. Gentile & Va Xiong & Tzahi Arazi & Heather A. Owen & Jiří Friml & Dazhong Zhao, 2022. "Specification of female germline by microRNA orchestrated auxin signaling in Arabidopsis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-34723-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34723-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alexandra Schlereth & Barbara Möller & Weilin Liu & Marika Kientz & Jacky Flipse & Eike H. Rademacher & Markus Schmid & Gerd Jürgens & Dolf Weijers, 2010. "MONOPTEROS controls embryonic root initiation by regulating a mobile transcription factor," Nature, Nature, vol. 464(7290), pages 913-916, April.
    2. Verônica A. Grieneisen & Jian Xu & Athanasius F. M. Marée & Paulien Hogeweg & Ben Scheres, 2007. "Auxin transport is sufficient to generate a maximum and gradient guiding root growth," Nature, Nature, vol. 449(7165), pages 1008-1013, October.
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