LncRNA7503 decreases peach (Prunus persica) branch number and angle by inducing pre-miR395a degradation and reducing bioactive BR content

Peach (Prunus persica L.) branch number and angle significantly influence orchard management efficiency, fruit yield, and quality. However, few reports exist on genes regulating both traits characteristics. This study utilized miRNA sequencing to identify PpCYP734A14, one of four BR pathway-related genes targeted by differentially expressed miRNAs, as a participant in BR metabolism with elevated expression in pillar-type peach cultivar Zhaoshouhong (ZSH). Transient expression analyses confirmed that miR395a-3p targets PpCYP734A14. The overexpression of pre-miR395a led to significant reduction in PpCYP734A14 mRNA levels and increased bioactive BR content, resulting in enhanced branching and branch angle. Conversely, miR395a-3p silencing produced opposite effects. LncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network analysis revealed that differentially expressed lncRNA7503 reduced mature miR395a-3p levels by promoting the posttranscriptional degradation of pre-miR395a, subsequently increasing PpCYP734A14 expression. These findings implicate PpCYP734A14 in the regulation of both branch number and angle through a lncRNA7503-miR395a-3p mechanism. This pathway presents valuable molecular tools for genetic improvement of tree architecture and facilitates labor-saving cultivation approaches.