miR156f integrates panicle architecture through genetic modulation of branch number and pedicel length pathways

Background: Rice (Oryza sativa) panicle architecture is the major determinant of the ideal plant architecture that directly influence yield potential. Many genes influencing development of primary branches, secondary branches, spikelet and pedicel would also influence panicle architecture, which is thus a complex trait regulated by genes from various aspects. miR156, an extensively studied miRNA, has recently emerged as promising target for crop improvement because of its role in plant architecture regulation, such as the number of tillers, plant height and the panicle architecture. Increasing evidence suggests that miR156 might play an important role in panicle architecture regulation. Main body: To study the detailed function of miR156 in rice panicle architecture regulation, we examined the genetic interaction or transcriptional regulation of miR156/OsSPL to other panicle regulating genes. Our results revealed that expression of many panicle related genes were influenced by miR156. Through biochemical analysis, we further proved that miR156 directly regulated the axillary meristem regulating gene, LAX1, at the transcription level. And the intimate relations between miR156 and LAX1, and miR156 and LAX2 were also uncovered by genetic analysis. On the other hand, a tight genetic linkage between miR156 and RCN2, the panicle branch promoting gene, was also detected, which suggested a buffering mechanism for the miR156 mediated panicle architecture regulation. Furthermore, genetic analysis also demonstrated that miR156 functioned in the same pathway with OsRA2 to regulate pedicel length. Short conclusion: Altogether, miR156 integrates several genetic pathways mediated by genes such as LAX1, LAX2, RCN2 and OsRA2, and comprehensively regulates panicle development in rice. Based on these analysis, we concluded that miR156 acts as an important regulator for panicle architecture through influencing various aspects of panicle development.