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Molecular characterization of CONSTANS-Like (COL) genes in banana (Musa acuminata L. AAA Group, cv. Grand Nain)

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Abstract

The CONSTANS (CO) family is an important regulator of flowering in photoperiod sensitive plants. But information regarding their role in day neutral plants is limited. We report identification of nine Group I type CONSTANS-like (COL) genes of banana and their characterization for their age dependent, diurnal and tissue-specific expression. Our studies show that the Group I genes are conserved in structure to members in other plants. Expression of these genes shows a distinct circadian regulation with a peak during light period. Developmental stage specific expression reveals high level transcript accumulation of two genes, MaCOL3a and MaCOL3b, well before flowering and until the initiation of flowering. A decrease in their transcript levels after initiation of flowering is followed by an increase in transcription of other members that coincides with the continued development of the inflorescence and fruiting. CO binding cis-elements are observed in at least three FT -like genes in banana suggesting possible CO-FT interactions that might regulate flowering. Distinct tissue specific expression patterns are observed for different family members in mature leaves, apical inflorescence, bracts, fruit skin and fruit pulp suggesting possible roles other than flowering. This is the first exhaustive study of the COL genes belonging to Group I of banana.

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Acknowledgments

Authors thank Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd and its Founder Chairman Dr. B.H. Jain for all financial support and motivation.

Author contributions

PVS, BK and APS conceived and designed the research. AKC, HBP and VRS conducted experiments. HBP, BK and VRS contributed new reagents or analytical tools. AKC, AA and PVS analyzed data. AKC, AA, APS and PVS wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Molecular Biology Lab, Jain R&D Lab, Agri Park, Jain Hills, Shirsoli Road, Jalgaon, 425001, India

    Akhilesh Kumar Chaurasia, Hemant Bhagwan Patil, Abdul Azeez, Vadakanthara Ramakrishnan Subramaniam, Bal Krishna & Prafullachandra Vishnu Sane

  2. Plant Gene Expression Lab, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226001, India

    Aniruddha Prafullachandra Sane

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  1. Akhilesh Kumar Chaurasia
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  2. Hemant Bhagwan Patil
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  3. Abdul Azeez
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  4. Vadakanthara Ramakrishnan Subramaniam
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  5. Bal Krishna
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  6. Aniruddha Prafullachandra Sane
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  7. Prafullachandra Vishnu Sane
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Correspondence to Abdul Azeez.

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Chaurasia, A.K., Patil, H.B., Azeez, A. et al. Molecular characterization of CONSTANS-Like (COL) genes in banana (Musa acuminata L. AAA Group, cv. Grand Nain). Physiol Mol Biol Plants 22, 1–15 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12298-016-0345-3

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