Influence of methylation pathway genes on FLC expression in Arabidopsis thaliana.
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2004 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | 15th International Conference on Arabidopsis Research |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Genetics and molecular biology |
| Keywords | Arabidopsis;flowering;methylation pathway;FLC gene |
| Description | Activity of FLC gene (Flowering Locus C) plays a central role in the control of flowering time in the autonomous and vernalization pathways. FLC activity is negatively regulated by other genes of both pathways. The main goal of this work was to assigne influence of the six late-flowering genes (dn, L4, L5, L6-1, L6 a Spi) of the new methylation pathway on the FLC expression. Also the effect of developmental stages, vernalization and 5-azacytidine treatment on the level of FLC mRNA in rosette leaves was analysed. Moreover the tissue distribution of FLC transcript was determined. For this purpose, reverse transcription and PCR amplification of FLC was used. All six late-flowering mutants of the methylation pathway increased level of FLC mRNA relative to control lines S96 and Di-G. For analysis of the effect of developmental stages, vernalization and 5-azacytidine treatment the level of FLC mRNA was examined in rosette leaves, which were collected from plants (L4 and Spi) before and after flowering. FLC mRNA levels were not affected either by vernalization, 5-azacytidine treatment or by plant age during vegetative and reproductive development. The tissue distribution of FLC transcript was analysed in Ler standard line and SPI late-flowering mutant. RNA was isolated from roots, stems, rosette and cauline leaves, inflorescence and siliques. FLC was expressed in all vegetative tissues but was not detectable in reproductive tissues - inflorescence and siliques. The late flowering phenotype of mutants of six different genes studied is caused by the elevated level of FLC transcript. Level of FLC transcript in rosette leaves is steady of whole life cycle of plant and is restricted only to tissues of the vegetative phase. Vernalization and 5-azacytidine treatment was not able to reduce level of FLC mRNA in rosette leaves. These results indicate that FLC expression is downregulated in the apex only after the transition to flowering. |
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