Functional diversification of Flowering Locus T homologs in soybean: GmFT1a and GmFT2a/5a have opposite roles in controlling flowering and maturation.

ABSTRACT: Soybean flowering and maturation are strictly regulated by photoperiod. Photoperiod-sensitive soybean varieties can undergo flowering reversion when switched from short-day (SD) to long-day (LD) conditions, suggesting the presence of a 'floral-inhibitor' under LD conditions. We combined gene expression profiling with a study of transgenic plants and confirmed that GmFT1a, soybean Flowering Locus T (FT) homolog, is a floral inhibitor. GmFT1a is expressed specifically in leaves, similar to the flowering-promoting FT homologs GmFT2a/5a. However, in Zigongdongdou (ZGDD), a model variety for studying flowering reversion, GmFT1a expression was induced by LD but inhibited by SD conditions. This was unexpected, as it is the complete opposite of the expression of flowering promoters GmFT2a/5a. More

SUBMITTER: Liu W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5900889 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature