A novel miR160a–GmARF16–GmMYC2 module determines soybean salt tolerance and adaptation

Abstract

Summary Salt stress is a major challenge that has a negative impact on soybean growth and productivity. Therefore, it is important to understand the regulatory mechanism of salt response to ensure soybean yield under such conditions. In this study, we identified and characterized a miR160a–GmARF16–GmMYC2 module and its regulation during the salt–stress response in soybean. miR160a promotes salt tolerance by cleaving GmARF16 transcripts, members of the Auxin Response Factor (ARF) family, which negatively regulates salt tolerance. In turn, GmARF16 activates GmMYC2, encoding a bHLH transcription factor that reduces salinity tolerance by down‐regulating proline biosynthesis. Genomic analysis among wild and cultivated soybean accessions identified four distinct GmARF16 haplotypes. Among them, the GmARF16H3 haplotype is preferentially enriched in localities with relatively saline soils, suggesting GmARF16H3 was artificially selected to improve salt tolerance. Our findings therefore provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying salt response in soybean and provide valuable genetic targets for the molecular breeding of salt tolerance.

Genome-Wide Analysis of Serine Carboxypeptidase-like Genes in Soybean and Their Roles in Stress Resistance

“…Soybean ( Glycine max ) is one of the most important crops globally, serving as a fundamental component of agriculture by providing essential protein and oil for human and animal consumption [ 1 , 2 ]. Additionally, soybeans are increasingly used in biodiesel production, a renewable energy source that can reduce reliance on fossil fuels [ 3 ].…”

Overexpression of GhGSTF9 Enhances Salt Stress Tolerance in Transgenic Arabidopsis

“…Studies elucidate how plants integrate external salt signals and internal developmental cues to regulate growth, development, and tolerance to salt stress. This regulatory mechanism involves multiple transcription factor families, including MYB, WRKY, and NAM/ATAF/CUC (NAC) [ 7 , 8 , 9 ], along with phytohormone, such as abscisic acid (ABA), auxin (AUX), brassinosteroid (BR), and gibberellin (GA) [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Notably, different transcription factors exhibit varying responses to salt stress.…”