背景回顾：MicroRNA168 (miR168) is a key miRNA that targets Argonaute1 (AGO1), a major component of the RNA-induced silencing complex. 

研究基础：Previously, we reported that miR168 expression was responsive to infection by Magnaporthe oryzae, the causal agent of rice blast disease. 

提出问题：However, how miR168 regulates immunity to rice blast and whether it affects rice development remains unclear.

主要发现：Here, we report our discovery that the suppression of miR168 by a target mimic (MIM168) not only improves grain yield and shortens flowering time in rice but also enhances immunity to M. oryzae. These results were validated through repeated tests in rice fields in the absence and presence of rice blast pressure. 

作用机制：We found that the miR168–AGO1 module regulates miR535 to improve yield by increasing panicle number, miR164 to reduce flowering time, and miR1320 and miR164 to enhance immunity. 

结论：Our discovery demonstrates that changes in a single miRNA enhance the expression of multiple agronomically important traits.

 摘 要 

miR168是一个比较重要的miRNA，其可以靶向RNA诱导沉默复合体的主要组分之一的AGO1基因。之前，作者的研究鉴定了miR168的表达响应于稻瘟病病原菌Magnaporthe oryzae的侵染。但是，miR168如何调控水稻对于稻瘟病的抗性，以及其是否影响水稻的发育都不清楚。本文中，作者发现通过MIM168抑制miR168，不仅可以提高水稻籽粒产量、缩短开花时间，还可以增强水稻对于稻瘟病菌的抗性。作者进一步在田间试验中，在有无稻瘟病菌的胁迫下，反复重复了上述结果。作者发现miR168–AGO1模块通过miR535增加稻穗数目，从而提升水稻籽粒产量；通过miR164减少水稻开花时间；通过miR1320和miR164增强水稻免疫。本文的发现揭示了通过对单个miRNA的操作能够同时针对多个农艺性状进行改良。