Elevated CO2 influences the expression of floral-initiation genes in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Atmospheric CO(2) concentration ([CO(2)]) is rising on a global scale and is known to affect flowering time. Elevated [CO(2)] may be as influential as temperature in determining future changes in plant developmental timing, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms that control altered flowering times at elevated [CO(2)]. Using Arabidopsis thaliana, the expression patterns were compared of floral-initiation genes between a genotype that was selected for high fitness at elevated [CO(2)] and a nonselected control genotype. The selected genotype exhibits pronounced delays in flowering time when grown at elevated [CO(2)], whereas the control genotype is unaffected by elevated [CO(2)]. Thus, this comparison provides an evolutionarily relevant system for gaining insight into the responses of plants to future increases in [CO(2)]. Evidence is provided that elevated [CO(2)] influences the expression of floral-initiation genes. In addition, it is shown that delayed flowering at elevated [CO(2)] is associated with sustained expression of the floral repressor gene, FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC), in an elevated CO(2)-adapted genotype. Understanding the mechanisms that account for changes in plant developmental timing at elevated [CO(2)] is critical for predicting the responses of plants to a high-CO(2) world of the near future.
Springer
Clint J
CJ
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.
Orozco
Rebecca A
RA
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.
Kelly
John K
JK
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.
Ward
Joy K
JK
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.
D000220:Adaptation, Biological; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000502:physiology*; D035264:Flowers / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D005838:Genotype; D012641:Selection, Genetic
D002245:Carbon Dioxide