Advances in research of miRNA156 and targeted SPL gene in plants

The SQUAMOSA promoter binding protein-like (SPL) gene family is a class of transcription factors unique to green plants. The majority of the members of the SPL family contain miR156 binding sites and can be negatively regulated by miR156 at the transcriptional level. Studies on Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa and other model plants have shwon that miR156-SPL is involved in flowering regulation, morphology transition, secondary metabolism, light signal transduction and stress response. With the development of biotechnology, increasing studies on the role of miR156-SPL in plants have been reported. This review summarizes the various functions and molecular mechanisms of miR156-SPL, and aims to lay a foundation for further exploration and application of miR156-SPL in grass.