AUTHOR=Wang Xiao , Zhang Juanjuan , Zhang Jing , Zhou Chuanen , Han Lu 

TITLE=Genome-wide characterization of AINTEGUMENTA-LIKE family in Medicago truncatula reveals the significant roles of AINTEGUMENTAs in leaf growth

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.1050462

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2022.1050462

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>AINTEGUMENTA-LIKE</italic> (AIL) transcription factors are widely studied and play crucial roles in plant growth and development. However, the functions of the <italic>AIL</italic> family in legume species are largely unknown. In this study, 11 <italic>MtAIL</italic> genes were identified in the model legume <italic>Medicago truncatula</italic>, of which four of them are <italic>MtANTs</italic>. <italic>In situ</italic> analysis showed that <italic>MtANT1</italic> was highly expressed in the shoot apical meristem (SAM) and leaf primordium. Characterization of <italic>mtant1 mtant2 mtant3 mtant4</italic> quadruple mutants and <italic>MtANT1</italic>-overexpressing plants revealed that <italic>MtANTs</italic> were not only necessary but also sufficient for the regulation of leaf size, and indicated that they mainly function in the regulation of cell proliferation during secondary morphogenesis of leaves in <italic>M. truncatula</italic>. This study systematically analyzed the <italic>MtAIL</italic> family at the genome-wide level and revealed the functions of <italic>MtANTs</italic> in leaf growth. Thus, these genes may provide a potential application for promoting the biomass of legume forages.</p>