Tomato flowering depends on overlapping functions of AP1/FUL-like genes in reproductive meristem specification.

ABSTRACT: AP1/FUL-clade transcription factors (TFs) are essential for the initiation and regulation of flowering and have clearly separated functions in Arabidopsis. However, how these functions have diverged across eudicots remains unclear. Here, we performed a detailed analysis to unravel the distinct and overlapping functions of the tomato AP1-ortholog MACROCALYX (MC) and the FUL-like genes FRUITFULL2 (FUL2) and MADS-BOX PROTEIN 20 (MBP20) through integrated molecular, genetic, and genomic approaches. We find that AP1/FUL-like TFs redundantly regulate the floral transition in both the primary shoot and sympodial shoot. In the latter, loss of MC, FUL2, and MBP20 leads to extremely delayed flowering. In the floral and inflorescence meristem, MC is the major player, but FUL2 and MBP20 contribute as

SUBMITTER: Jiang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12445816 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature