Regulation of floral patterning by flowering time genes

Dev Cell. 2009 May;16(5):711-22. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2009.03.011.

Abstract

Floral patterning in Arabidopsis requires activation of floral homeotic genes by the floral meristem identity gene, LEAFY (LFY). Here we show that precise activation of expression of class B and C homeotic genes in floral meristems is regulated by three flowering time genes, SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP), SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS 1 (SOC1), and AGAMOUS-LIKE 24 (AGL24), through direct control of a LFY coregulator, SEPALLATA3 (SEP3). Orchestrated repression of SEP3 by SVP, AGL24, and SOC1 is mediated by recruiting two interacting chromatin regulators, TERMINAL FLOWER 2/LIKE HETEROCHROMATIN PROTEIN 1 and SAP18, a member of SIN3 histone deacetylase complex. Our finding of coordinated regulation of SEP3 by flowering time genes reveals a hitherto unknown genetic pathway that prevents premature differentiation of floral meristems and determines the appropriate timing of floral organ patterning.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis / physiology*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / metabolism
  • Flowers / genetics
  • Flowers / physiology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant*
  • Histone Deacetylases / metabolism
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • MADS Domain Proteins / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • AGL20 protein, Arabidopsis
  • AGL24 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • LFY protein, Arabidopsis
  • MADS Domain Proteins
  • SAP18 protein, Arabidopsis
  • SEP3 protein, Arabidopsis
  • SVP protein, Arabidopsis
  • TFL2 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Transcription Factors
  • Histone Deacetylases