The TaNHLP1-TaRACK1A module regulates tillering via abscisic acid signaling in wheat

Abstract Wheat tillering is an important agronomic trait influencing grain yield. Here, we identify an NHL repeat-containing protein, TaNHLP1, which positively regulates tiller number in wheat. We discovered that the core components of the abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway, type 2C protein phosp...

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Main Authors: Yaoqi Si, Shuiquan Tian, Jianqing Niu, Qiao Lu, Qiushuang Shang, Shengwei Ma, Zhimeng Zhang, Tingting Du, Huilan Wu, Jundong Li, Xiansheng Zhang, Fang Wang, Hong-Qing Ling, Shusong Zheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62654-5
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author Yaoqi Si
Shuiquan Tian
Jianqing Niu
Qiao Lu
Qiushuang Shang
Shengwei Ma
Zhimeng Zhang
Tingting Du
Huilan Wu
Jundong Li
Xiansheng Zhang
Fang Wang
Hong-Qing Ling
Shusong Zheng
author_facet Yaoqi Si
Shuiquan Tian
Jianqing Niu
Qiao Lu
Qiushuang Shang
Shengwei Ma
Zhimeng Zhang
Tingting Du
Huilan Wu
Jundong Li
Xiansheng Zhang
Fang Wang
Hong-Qing Ling
Shusong Zheng
author_sort Yaoqi Si
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Wheat tillering is an important agronomic trait influencing grain yield. Here, we identify an NHL repeat-containing protein, TaNHLP1, which positively regulates tiller number in wheat. We discovered that the core components of the abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway, type 2C protein phosphatase TaPP2C and SNF1-related protein kinase TaSnRK2, interact with TaNHLP1 to regulate its abundance. Furthermore, TaNHLP1 interacts with the Receptor for Activated C Kinase 1 (TaRACK1A), an ABA pathway negative regulator, and influences its subcellular localization. Importantly, both the TaNHLP1 and TaRACK1A mutations promote ABA accumulation in the shoot bases and tiller buds. Notably, the NHLP1-RACK1 module is conserved across monocots and eudicots, and natural variations in the promoter of TaNHLP1-A enhance its transcriptional activity, leading to increased tiller number and yield. Collectively, these findings elucidate the genetic mechanism of NHLP1-mediated tillering regulation and highlight its potential as a target for improving crop plant architecture.
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spelling doaj-art-0c6d616c904d400e99db587efdbb55b82025-08-20T04:02:56ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-08-0116111710.1038/s41467-025-62654-5The TaNHLP1-TaRACK1A module regulates tillering via abscisic acid signaling in wheatYaoqi Si0Shuiquan Tian1Jianqing Niu2Qiao Lu3Qiushuang Shang4Shengwei Ma5Zhimeng Zhang6Tingting Du7Huilan Wu8Jundong Li9Xiansheng Zhang10Fang Wang11Hong-Qing Ling12Shusong Zheng13Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of SciencesInstitute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of SciencesYazhouwan National LaboratoryInstitute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of SciencesState Key Laboratory of Wheat Improvement, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural UniversityYazhouwan National LaboratoryInstitute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of SciencesInstitute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of SciencesInstitute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of SciencesSchool of Life Sciences, Yunnan UniversityState Key Laboratory of Wheat Improvement, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural UniversityState Key Laboratory of Wheat Improvement, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural UniversityInstitute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of SciencesInstitute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of SciencesAbstract Wheat tillering is an important agronomic trait influencing grain yield. Here, we identify an NHL repeat-containing protein, TaNHLP1, which positively regulates tiller number in wheat. We discovered that the core components of the abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway, type 2C protein phosphatase TaPP2C and SNF1-related protein kinase TaSnRK2, interact with TaNHLP1 to regulate its abundance. Furthermore, TaNHLP1 interacts with the Receptor for Activated C Kinase 1 (TaRACK1A), an ABA pathway negative regulator, and influences its subcellular localization. Importantly, both the TaNHLP1 and TaRACK1A mutations promote ABA accumulation in the shoot bases and tiller buds. Notably, the NHLP1-RACK1 module is conserved across monocots and eudicots, and natural variations in the promoter of TaNHLP1-A enhance its transcriptional activity, leading to increased tiller number and yield. Collectively, these findings elucidate the genetic mechanism of NHLP1-mediated tillering regulation and highlight its potential as a target for improving crop plant architecture.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62654-5
spellingShingle Yaoqi Si
Shuiquan Tian
Jianqing Niu
Qiao Lu
Qiushuang Shang
Shengwei Ma
Zhimeng Zhang
Tingting Du
Huilan Wu
Jundong Li
Xiansheng Zhang
Fang Wang
Hong-Qing Ling
Shusong Zheng
The TaNHLP1-TaRACK1A module regulates tillering via abscisic acid signaling in wheat
Nature Communications
title The TaNHLP1-TaRACK1A module regulates tillering via abscisic acid signaling in wheat
title_full The TaNHLP1-TaRACK1A module regulates tillering via abscisic acid signaling in wheat
title_fullStr The TaNHLP1-TaRACK1A module regulates tillering via abscisic acid signaling in wheat
title_full_unstemmed The TaNHLP1-TaRACK1A module regulates tillering via abscisic acid signaling in wheat
title_short The TaNHLP1-TaRACK1A module regulates tillering via abscisic acid signaling in wheat
title_sort tanhlp1 tarack1a module regulates tillering via abscisic acid signaling in wheat
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62654-5
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