A novel intergenic long noncoding RNA WTRL1 regulates tillering and contributes to ideal architecture in wheat

https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.70583

New Phytologist，06 October 2025

Wanlin Zhou,Zhiqiang Wang,Xinjian Zhou,Yunzi Jiang,Lang Yu,Min Liang,Xudong Chen,Yuxin Huang,Haoran Shi,Yu Lin,Yaxi Liu

Abstract

• Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial posttranscriptional regulators of plant growth and resistance. To uncover lncRNAs modulating wheat tillering, we analyzed previously published lncRNA datasets from tillering-related near-isogenic lines (NILs) and identified a differentially expressed long intergenic noncoding RNA (lincRNA), designatedWheat Tiller Related Long noncoding RNA 1(WTRL1), as a candidate regulator.

• The spatiotemporal expression pattern ofWTRL1was analyzed using RT-qPCR and RNA fluorescencein situhybridization. Functional validation was performed by overexpressing and silencingWTRL1in common wheat. Putative targets were identified via transcriptome analysis of transgenic lines and validated using modified dual luciferase reporter (Dual-Luc) assays.

• WTRL1was found highly expressed in tiller buds. Overexpression ofWTRL1significantly reduced tiller number and accelerated flowering time, whereas silencing ofWTRL1increased tiller number and delayed flowering. Transcriptomics and Dual-Luc assays identified two target genes,TraesFLD1D01G290100andTraesFLD1A01G316100, potentially mediating these effects.

• WTRL1is a lincRNA that negatively regulates tiller number and promotes flowering in wheat, likely through posttranscriptional regulation of specific target genes. This discovery provides a valuable genetic tool for molecular breeding strategies aimed at optimizing wheat tiller development and flowering time.