Florigen sequestration in cellular membranes modulates temperature-responsive flowering

Science. 2021 Sep 3;373(6559):1137-1142. doi: 10.1126/science.abh4054. Epub 2021 Sep 1.

Abstract

Plants respond to temperature changes by modulating florigen activity to optimize the timing of flowering. We show that the Arabidopsis thaliana mobile florigen FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) interacts with the negatively charged phospholipid phosphatidylglycerol (PG) at cellular membranes and binds the lipid bilayer. Perturbing PG biosynthesis in phloem companion cells leads to temperature-insensitive early flowering. Low temperatures facilitate FT sequestration in the cellular membrane of the companion cell, thus reducing soluble FT levels and delaying flowering. A mutant in PHOSPHATIDYLGLYCEROLPHOSPHATE SYNTHASE 1 accumulates more soluble FT at lower temperatures and exhibits reduced temperature sensitivity. Thus, cellular membranes sequester FT through their ability to bind the phospholipid PG, and this sequestration modulates the plant’s response to temperature changes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / genetics
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / metabolism
  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis / growth & development*
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Florigen / metabolism*
  • Flowers / metabolism*
  • Phosphatidylglycerols / metabolism
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Temperature

Substances

  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
  • ATPGP1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • FT protein, Arabidopsis
  • Florigen
  • Phosphatidylglycerols