title: FLOWERING LOCUS C in monocots and the tandem origin of angiosperm-specific MADS-box genes.
abstract: MADS-domain transcription factors have been shown to act as key repressors or activators of the transition to flowering and as master regulators of reproductive organ identities. Despite their important roles in plant development, the origin of several MADS-box subfamilies has remained enigmatic so far. Here we demonstrate, through a combination of genome synteny and phylogenetic reconstructions, the origin of three major, apparently angiosperm-specific MADS-box gene clades: FLOWERING LOCUS C- (FLC-), SQUAMOSA- (SQUA-) and SEPALLATA- (SEP-)-like genes. We find that these lineages derive from a single ancestral tandem duplication in a common ancestor of extant seed plants. Contrary to common belief, we show that FLC-like genes are present in cereals where they can also act as floral repressors responsive to prolonged cold or vernalization. This opens a new perspective on the translation of findings from Arabidopsis to cereal crops, in which vernalization was originally described.
authors: Department of Biology, K.U. Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium.
authors: Philip
authors: P
authors: Ruelens
authors: Ruud A
authors: RA
authors: de Maagd
authors: Sebastian
authors: S
authors: Proost
authors: Günter
authors: G
authors: Theißen
authors: Koen
authors: K
authors: Geuten
authors: Kerstin
authors: K
authors: Kaufmann
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D035264:Flowers / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics; D026161:MADS Domain Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; C418902:At5g10140 protein, Arabidopsis; D026161:MADS Domain Proteins; C587509:SEPALLATA protein, Arabidopsis; C587508:SQUAMOSA protein, Arabidopsis; D014157:Transcription Factors