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The alleles at the E1 locus impact the expression pattern of two soybean FT-like genes shown to induce flowering in Arabidopsis

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Abstract

A small gene family of phosphatidyl ethanolamine-binding proteins (PEBP) has been shown to function as key regulators in flowering; in Arabidopsis thaliana the FT protein promotes flowering whilst the closely related TFL1 protein represses flowering. Control of flowering time in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] is important for geographic adaptation and maximizing yield. Soybean breeders have identified a series of loci, the E-genes, that control photoperiod-mediated flowering time, yet how these loci control flowering is poorly understood. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the expression of GmFT-like genes in the E1 near-isogenic line (NIL) background. Of the 20 closely related PEBP proteins in the soybean genome, ten are similar to the Arabidopsis FT protein. Expression analysis of these ten GmFT-like genes confirmed that only two are detectable in the conditions tested. Further analysis of these two genes in the E1 NILs grown under short-day (SD) and long-day (LD) conditions showed a diurnal expression and tissue specificity expression commensurate with soybean flowering time under SD and LD conditions, suggesting that these were good candidates for flowering induction in soybean. Arabidopsis ft mutant lines flowered early when transformed with the two soybean genes, suggesting that the soybean genes can complement the Arabidopsis FT function. Flowering time in E1 NILs is consistent with the differential expression of the two GmFT-like genes under SD and LD conditions, suggesting that the E1 locus, at least in part, impacts time to flowering through the regulation of soybean FT expression.

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Abbreviations

bZIP:

Basic region-leucine zipper

C t :

Cycle threshold

FD:

FLOWERING LOCUS D

FT:

FLOWERING LOCUS T

Gm:

Glycine max

LD:

Long day

NILs:

Near isogenic lines

PEBP:

Phosphatidyl ethanolamine-binding protein

PHYA:

PHYTOCHROME A

qRT-PCR:

Real time quantitative reverse transcription PCR

SD:

Short day

TFL1:

TERMINAL FLOWER 1

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge Dr. Elroy Cober for the E-gene NIL lines, Troy Bass, Elena Prior and Dr. Joseph Omielan for technical assistance, Drs. Karen Hudson and Gary Stacey for manuscript reviews. The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this paper is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by the United States Department of Agriculture or the Agriculture Research Service of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.

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Author notes

  1. Dhiraj Thakare

    Present address: School of Plant Sciences, The University of Arizona, Marley Building, Room 441J, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA

  2. Saratha Kumudini

    Present address: Monsanto Co., 110 T.W. Alexander Dr., Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forage-Animal Production Research Unit, USDA-ARS, University of Kentucky Campus, N220 Agriculture Science Building, N., Lexington, KY, 40546-0091, USA

    Randy D. Dinkins

  2. Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Kentucky, 1405 Veterans Drive, Lexington, KY, 40546-0312, USA

    Dhiraj Thakare & Saratha Kumudini

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  1. Dhiraj Thakare
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Correspondence to Randy D. Dinkins.

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Thakare, D., Kumudini, S. & Dinkins, R.D. The alleles at the E1 locus impact the expression pattern of two soybean FT-like genes shown to induce flowering in Arabidopsis. Planta 234, 933–943 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-011-1450-8

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