Legumes control nodule number through nodulation and autoregulation of nodulation (AON) pathways. Nodule Inception (NIN) is essential for rhizobial infection and nodule organogenesis in legumes. The GmNINa-miR172c-NNC1 (NMN) module, which consists of two positive regulators, GmNINa and miR172c, and a suppressor, NNC1, integrates both pathways. GmNINa activates miR172c to downregulate NNC1, leading to nodulation, while NNC1 inhibits miR172c expression, forming a negative feedback loop. GmNINa and NNC1 interact with each other and antagonistically fine-tune GmRIC1/RIC2 expression, turning AON on and off. Conversely, activation of AON inhibits GmNINa and miR172c expression, thereby reducing their inhibitory effects on NNC1 to attenuate both nodulation signaling and AON. The NMN module functions not only as an “accelerator” of the nodulation signal to promote nodulation but also as a “brake” on the signal by activating AON to orchestrate nodule number.

豆科植物通过结节和结节（AON）途径的自动调节来控制结节数。豆类的根瘤萌发（NIN）对于根瘤菌感染和根瘤的器官发生至关重要。GmNINa-miR172c-NNC1（NMN）模块由两个正调节剂GmNINa和miR172c组成，而抑制器NNC1则将这两个途径整合在一起。GmNINa激活miR172c以下调NNC1，导致结瘤，而NNC1抑制miR172c的表达，形成负反馈环。GmNINa和NNC1彼此相互作用，并拮抗微调GmRIC1 / RIC2的表达，从而打开和关闭AON。相反，激活AON会抑制GmNINa和miR172c表达，从而降低其对NNC1的抑制作用，从而减弱结瘤信号传导和AON。NMN模块不仅充当结瘤信号的“促进剂”以促进结瘤，而且还通过激活AON来编排结节编号，从而充当信号的“刹车”。