Gao Xuemeng, Lou Shangling, Han Yu, Zheng Yudan, Feng Xiaoqin, Zhang Han, Liu Xuejing, Hou Jing, Yao Yingjun, Song Yan, Liu Meng, Gu Shaobo, Liang Ruyun, Tan Luna, Feng Landi, Mei Dong, Jiang Xinyao, Sun Pengchuan, Liu Huanhuan, Jiang Yuanzhong, Liu Jianquan
Key Laboratory for Bio-resources and Eco-environment & Sichuan Zoige Alpine Wetland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems and College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Nat Commun. 2025 May 30;16(1):5053. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-60436-7.
Altitude significantly affects both fruit length (FL) and seed germination timing (SGT) in plants. Alpine plants often require prolonged chilling to enhance seed germination rates, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying these adaptations remain largely unexplored. In this study, we have identified the gibberellin biosynthesis gene GA20ox3 as a key regulator of FL and SGT in Arabidopsis thaliana. Our findings demonstrate that DELLA proteins form a negative feedback loop by interacting with the transcription factor DNA-BINDING ONE ZINC FINGER6 (DOF6), which directly binds to the GA20ox3 promoter. Allelic variations in the GA20ox3 promoter of one alpine ecotype influence the binding affinity of DOF6, leading to variations in both FL and SGT. The geographical distribution of the GA20ox3 promoter alleles, corresponding well to different altitudes and temperatures, underscores the significant role of such variation in the A. thaliana's adaptation to the varied habitats, especially concerning seed germination timing. Our results reveal a cold-mediated gibberellin signaling mechanism that controls both FL and SGT, thereby optimizing reproductive success in varied environments.
海拔高度对植物的果实长度（FL）和种子萌发时间（SGT）均有显著影响。高山植物通常需要长时间的低温处理以提高种子萌发率，然而这些适应性变化背后的分子机制在很大程度上仍未被探索。在本研究中，我们已确定赤霉素生物合成基因GA20ox3是拟南芥中FL和SGT的关键调节因子。我们的研究结果表明，DELLA蛋白通过与转录因子DNA结合单锌指6（DOF6）相互作用形成负反馈环，DOF6直接结合到GA20ox3启动子上。一种高山生态型的GA20ox3启动子中的等位基因变异会影响DOF6的结合亲和力，导致FL和SGT均发生变化。GA20ox3启动子等位基因的地理分布与不同海拔和温度高度吻合，突出了这种变异在拟南芥适应不同栖息地（特别是种子萌发时间方面）的重要作用。我们的结果揭示了一种冷介导的赤霉素信号传导机制，该机制控制FL和SGT，从而在不同环境中优化繁殖成功率。
