title: Multiple FLC haplotypes defined by independent cis-regulatory variation underpin life history diversity in Arabidopsis thaliana.
abstract: Relating molecular variation to phenotypic diversity is a central goal in evolutionary biology. In Arabidopsis thaliana, FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) is a major determinant of variation in vernalization--the acceleration of flowering by prolonged cold. Here, through analysis of 1307 A. thaliana accessions, we identify five predominant FLC haplotypes defined by noncoding sequence variation. Genetic and transgenic experiments show that they are functionally distinct, varying in FLC expression level and rate of epigenetic silencing. Allelic heterogeneity at this single locus accounts for a large proportion of natural variation in vernalization that contributes to adaptation of A. thaliana.
authors.affiliation: John Innes Centre, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom; caroline.dean@jic.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Peijin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1030 Vienna, Austria;
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Filiault
authors.affiliation: John Innes Centre, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom;
authors.forename: Mathew S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Box
authors.affiliation: Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1030 Vienna, Austria;
authors.forename: Envel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kerdaffrec
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom;
authors.forename: Cock
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van Oosterhout
authors.affiliation: Deep Spring College, Big Pine, California 93513, USA;
authors.forename: Amity M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Wilczek
authors.affiliation: University of California at Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA;
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom;
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McMullan
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
authors.forename: Joy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bergelson
authors.affiliation: Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1030 Vienna, Austria;
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nordborg
authors.affiliation: John Innes Centre, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom; caroline.dean@jic.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dean
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000235:genetics; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D020868:Gene Silencing; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006239:Haplotypes; D026161:MADS Domain Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; C418902:At5g10140 protein, Arabidopsis; D026161:MADS Domain Proteins
keywords: FLOWERING LOCUS C; adaptation; allelic heterogeneity; noncoding polymorphism; vernalization