Figure 7.

miR172c Regulates Soybean Nodule Numbers through Direct Inhibition of Its Target Gene NNC1.

(A) and (B) Nodule numbers per hairy root transformed with empty vector (EV1, pTCK303) or RNAi-GmNNC1 (A) or 35S:GmNNC1 and 35S:GmNNC1m6 (B) at 28 DAI (n = 10 to 12). Experiments were performed three times. Values are averages ± sd. Asterisks represent statistically significant differences (Student’s t test, ***P < 0.001; ns, not significant at P > 0.05).

(C) qRT-PCR analysis of GmNNC1 in roots transformed with empty vector and constructs harboring 35S:GmNNC1 and 35S:GmNNC1m6 (n = 10 to 12). ELF1b was used as an endogenous control for gene expression. Asterisks represent statistically significant differences (Student’s t test, ***P < 0.001, **P < 0.05).

(D) Nodules of representative roots overexpressing NNC1, NNC1m6, or GFP (EV2; control) at 28 DAI. Bar = 3 mm.

[See online article for color version of this figure.]