The role of mediator subunit MED7 in Arabidopsis development

MED7, a middle-module subunit of the transcriptional co-regulator Mediator complex, plays a critical role in gene regulation in Arabidopsis thaliana, where it is encoded by two paralogs, MED7A and MED7B. We present phenotypic analyses of homozygous MED7-silenced transgenic lines with significantly r...

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Main Authors: Koppolu Raja Rajesh Kumar, Jeanette Blomberg, Stefan Björklund
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Plant Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1542950/full
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author Koppolu Raja Rajesh Kumar
Koppolu Raja Rajesh Kumar
Jeanette Blomberg
Stefan Björklund
author_facet Koppolu Raja Rajesh Kumar
Koppolu Raja Rajesh Kumar
Jeanette Blomberg
Stefan Björklund
author_sort Koppolu Raja Rajesh Kumar
collection DOAJ
description MED7, a middle-module subunit of the transcriptional co-regulator Mediator complex, plays a critical role in gene regulation in Arabidopsis thaliana, where it is encoded by two paralogs, MED7A and MED7B. We present phenotypic analyses of homozygous MED7-silenced transgenic lines with significantly reduced expression of both MED7 paralogs under autotrophic conditions. Our findings demonstrate that MED7 is essential for proper cotyledon opening during de-etiolation, as the silenced lines showed a marked delay in this process. Additionally, these lines displayed distinct morphological alterations, including hyponastic cotyledons, elongated hypocotyls, and modified root architecture, such as shorter primary roots and impaired root hair development in light-grown seedlings. MED7 silencing also significantly hindered light-induced adventitious root (AR) formation on the hypocotyls of etiolated seedlings, leading to a notable reduction in AR production. Moreover, MED7 silencing impacted the timing of floral transition and shoot branching, resulting in delayed flowering and an increased number of primary cauline branches on the inflorescence stem. Together, these results underscore a central role for MED7 in orchestrating key developmental processes in plants.
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spelling doaj-art-fd9051805b7041aaa50e2cd9d4cd2f082025-08-20T03:02:11ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2025-03-011610.3389/fpls.2025.15429501542950The role of mediator subunit MED7 in Arabidopsis developmentKoppolu Raja Rajesh Kumar0Koppolu Raja Rajesh Kumar1Jeanette Blomberg2Stefan Björklund3Department of Biotechnology, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, IndiaDepartment of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, SwedenDepartment of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, SwedenDepartment of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, SwedenMED7, a middle-module subunit of the transcriptional co-regulator Mediator complex, plays a critical role in gene regulation in Arabidopsis thaliana, where it is encoded by two paralogs, MED7A and MED7B. We present phenotypic analyses of homozygous MED7-silenced transgenic lines with significantly reduced expression of both MED7 paralogs under autotrophic conditions. Our findings demonstrate that MED7 is essential for proper cotyledon opening during de-etiolation, as the silenced lines showed a marked delay in this process. Additionally, these lines displayed distinct morphological alterations, including hyponastic cotyledons, elongated hypocotyls, and modified root architecture, such as shorter primary roots and impaired root hair development in light-grown seedlings. MED7 silencing also significantly hindered light-induced adventitious root (AR) formation on the hypocotyls of etiolated seedlings, leading to a notable reduction in AR production. Moreover, MED7 silencing impacted the timing of floral transition and shoot branching, resulting in delayed flowering and an increased number of primary cauline branches on the inflorescence stem. Together, these results underscore a central role for MED7 in orchestrating key developmental processes in plants.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1542950/fullmediatorArabidopsis thalianaMED7hyponastic cotyledonselongated hypocotylsmodified root architecture
spellingShingle Koppolu Raja Rajesh Kumar
Koppolu Raja Rajesh Kumar
Jeanette Blomberg
Stefan Björklund
The role of mediator subunit MED7 in Arabidopsis development
Frontiers in Plant Science
mediator
Arabidopsis thaliana
MED7
hyponastic cotyledons
elongated hypocotyls
modified root architecture
title The role of mediator subunit MED7 in Arabidopsis development
title_full The role of mediator subunit MED7 in Arabidopsis development
title_fullStr The role of mediator subunit MED7 in Arabidopsis development
title_full_unstemmed The role of mediator subunit MED7 in Arabidopsis development
title_short The role of mediator subunit MED7 in Arabidopsis development
title_sort role of mediator subunit med7 in arabidopsis development
topic mediator
Arabidopsis thaliana
MED7
hyponastic cotyledons
elongated hypocotyls
modified root architecture
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1542950/full
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