Project description:The transition from vegetative growth to flower formation is critical for the survival of flowering plants. The plant-specific transcription factor LEAFY (LFY) has central, evolutionarily conserved roles in this process, both in the formation of the first flower and later in floral patterning. We performed genome-wide binding and expression studies to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which LFY executes these roles. Our study reveals that LFY directs an intricate regulatory network in control of floral homeotic gene expression and, unexpectedly, controls the expression of genes regulating the response to external stimuli in Arabidopsis. We further show that LFY dampens responses to a bacterial MAMP (microbe-associated molecular pattern) and to pathogen challenge. Our findings suggest a molecular mechanism for the coordination of reproductive stage development and disease response programs in plants. Regulation of these distinct survival programs by a single transcription factor may ensure optimal allocation of plant resources for reproductive fitness. Expression array analysis used to identify genes differentially expressed upon LFY induction in 9-day-old shoot apices.
Project description:The transition from vegetative growth to flower formation is critical for the survival of flowering plants. The plant-specific transcription factor LEAFY (LFY) has central, evolutionarily conserved roles in this process, both in the formation of the first flower and later in floral patterning. We performed genome-wide binding and expression studies to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which LFY executes these roles. Our study reveals that LFY directs an intricate regulatory network in control of floral homeotic gene expression and, unexpectedly, controls the expression of genes regulating the response to external stimuli in Arabidopsis. We further show that LFY dampens responses to a bacterial MAMP (microbe-associated molecular pattern) and to pathogen challenge. Our findings suggest a molecular mechanism for the coordination of reproductive stage development and disease response programs in plants. Regulation of these distinct survival programs by a single transcription factor may ensure optimal allocation of plant resources for reproductive fitness. Genome binding/occupancy profiling by genome tiling array used to identity genes bound by endogenous LFY in inflorescences.
Project description:The transition from vegetative growth to flower formation is critical for the survival of flowering plants. The plant-specific transcription factor LEAFY (LFY) has central, evolutionarily conserved roles in this process, both in the formation of the first flower and later in floral patterning. We performed genome-wide binding and expression studies to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which LFY executes these roles. Our study reveals that LFY directs an intricate regulatory network in control of floral homeotic gene expression and, unexpectedly, controls the expression of genes regulating the response to external stimuli in Arabidopsis. We further show that LFY dampens responses to a bacterial MAMP (microbe-associated molecular pattern) and to pathogen challenge. Our findings suggest a molecular mechanism for the coordination of reproductive stage development and disease response programs in plants. Regulation of these distinct survival programs by a single transcription factor may ensure optimal allocation of plant resources for reproductive fitness. Genome binding/occupancy profiling by genome tiling array used to identity genes bound by induced LFY in 9-day-old seedlings.
Project description:The transition from vegetative growth to flower formation is critical for the survival of flowering plants. The plant-specific transcription factor LEAFY (LFY) has central, evolutionarily conserved roles in this process, both in the formation of the first flower and later in floral patterning. We performed genome-wide binding and expression studies to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which LFY executes these roles. Our study reveals that LFY directs an intricate regulatory network in control of floral homeotic gene expression and, unexpectedly, controls the expression of genes regulating the response to external stimuli in Arabidopsis. We further show that LFY dampens responses to a bacterial MAMP (microbe-associated molecular pattern) and to pathogen challenge. Our findings suggest a molecular mechanism for the coordination of reproductive stage development and disease response programs in plants. Regulation of these distinct survival programs by a single transcription factor may ensure optimal allocation of plant resources for reproductive fitness. Expression array analysis used to identify genes differentially expressed upon LFY induction in 9-day-old shoot apices. Expression array analysis of 9-day-old 35S::LFY-GR dexamethasone-treated seedlings compared to 9-day-old WT dexamethasone-treated seedlings. Four biological replicate samples.
Project description:Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is a globally significant oil-producing crop, and its structural variations (SVs) are fundamental to the enhancement and domestication of important agronomic traits. However, the effects of SVs on agronomic traits in allotetraploid rapeseed are still largely unexplored. Here, we conducted a whole-genome identification of SVs based on 300 re-sequenced rapeseed accessions and found 42,384 high-quality SVs consisted of 34,442 deletions, 6,653 insertions, 828 duplications and 461 inversions. Onset of inflorescence formation and subsequent flower opening at the proper time is crucial for successful propagation. To uncover significant SVs associated with inflorescence development, we performed genome-wide association study based on SVs (SV-GWAS) and identified seven significant SVs. Through analysis of each SV and referencing previous studies, we explored the SV in the second intron of LEAFY on Chromosome C3 (BnaC3.LFY), which is one of homologs of Arabidopsis floral identification gene LFY (AtLFY). BnaC3.LFY Hap1 is significantly related to early inflorescence development due to increased gene expression of BnaC3.LFY. By the CRISPR/Cas9 application in the wild-type spring accession Westar, multiple deletions in intron 2 region of BnaC3.LFY were received and the phenotype of delayed flowering opening was observed. Additionally, we discovered the conserved function of the second intron in Arabidopsis. This study demonstrates the whole-genome layout of SVs in Brassica napus genomes and highlights the conserved role of the second intron of BnaC3.LFY in influencing the timing of inflorescence formation and flower opening, with significant agronomic implications.