Overexpression of BnaAGL11, a MADS-box transcription factor, regulates leaf morphogenesis and senescence in Brassica napus

Previous studies have reported that SEEDSTICK/AGAMOUS-LIKE 11 (AtSTK/AtAGL11), a MADS-box transcription factor, plays important roles in many biological processes in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, the function of BnaAGL11, an AtAGL11 homologous gene from Brassica napus, in leaf development remains unknown. Here, we found that ectopic expression of any copy of Bna.C09.AGL11, Bna.A03.AGL11, and Bna.A09.AGL11 in A. thaliana led to smaller and curly leaves and promoted leaf senescence. Consistently, overexpression of Bna.C09.AGL11 in B. napus also caused smaller and curly leaves and accelerated leaf senescence. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Bna.C09.AGL11 controlled leaf morphogenesis by indirectly downregulating the genes of Bna.A01.DWF4 and Bna.C07.PGX3, and promoted leaf senescence by indirectly upregulating the genes of Bna.A04.ABI5, Bna.A05.ABI5, Bna.C04.ABI5-1, and Bna.C01.SEN4, and directly activating the transcription of Bna.C04.ABI5-2 and Bna.C03.SEN4 genes. Our results provide new insights into the underlying regulatory mechanism of BnaAGL11 during leaf development in B. napus.