The transcription factor NF-YA10 determines the area explored by Arabidopsis thaliana roots through direct regulation of LAZY and TAC genes

Root developmental plasticity relies on transcriptional reprogramming, which largely depends on the activity of transcription factors (TFs). NF-YA2 and NF-YA10 (Nuclear Factor A2 and A10) are down-regulated by the specific miRNA isoform miR169defg, in contrast to miR169a. Here, we analyzed the role of the Arabidopsis thaliana TF NF-YA10 in the regulation of lateral root development. Plants expressing a version of NF-YA10 resistant to miR169 cleavage showed a perturbation in the lateral root gravitropic response. By extracting novel features of root architecture using the ChronoRoot deep-learning-based phenotyping system, we uncovered a differential emergence angle of lateral roots over time when compared to Col-0. Detailed phenotyping of root growth dynamics revealed that NF-YA10 activity modulates the area explored by Arabidopsis roots. Furthermore, we found that NF-YA10 directly regulates TAC1 and LAZY genes by targeting their promoter regions, genes previously linked to gravitropism. Hence, the TF NF-YA10 is a new element in the control of LR gravitropism and root system architecture.