Natural variation in autumn expression is the major adaptive determinant distinguishing Arabidopsis FLC haplotypes.

ABSTRACT: In Arabidopsis thaliana, winter is registered during vernalization through the temperature-dependent repression and epigenetic silencing of floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). Natural Arabidopsis accessions show considerable variation in vernalization. However, which aspect of the FLC repression mechanism is most important for adaptation to different environments is unclear. By analysing FLC dynamics in natural variants and mutants throughout winter in three field sites, we find that autumnal FLC expression, rather than epigenetic silencing, is the major variable conferred by the distinct Arabidopsis FLChaplotypes. This variation influences flowering responses of Arabidopsis accessions resulting in an interplay between promotion and delay of

SUBMITTER: Hepworth J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7518893 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature