The floral regulator LEAFY evolves by substitutions in the DNA binding domain.
The plant-specific transcription factor LEAFY controls general aspects of the life cycle in a basal plant, the moss Physcomitrella patens. In contrast, LEAFY has more specialized functions in angiosperms, where it specifically induces floral fate during the reproductive phase. This raises the question of a concomitant change in the biochemical function of LEAFY during the evolution of land plants. We report that the DNA binding domain of LEAFY, although largely conserved, has diverged in activity. On the contrary, other, more rapidly evolving portions of the protein have few effects on LEAFY activity.
Maizel
Alexis
A
Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Busch
Maximilian A
MA
Tanahashi
Takako
T
Perkovic
Josip
J
Kato
Masahiro
M
Hasebe
Mitsuyasu
M
Weigel
Detlef
D
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000378:metabolism; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D035264:Flowers / Q000254:growth & development*; D010802:Phylogeny; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D018744:DNA, Plant; D010940:Plant Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors