title: Characterization and Functional Analysis of PEBP Family Genes in Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).
abstract: Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a naturally occurring photoperiod-sensitive perennial plant species. However, sensitivity to the day length was lost during domestication. The phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP) gene family, of which three subclades have been identified in angiosperms, functions to promote and suppress flowering in photoperiod pathway. Recent evidence indicates that PEBP family genes play an important role in generating mobile flowering signals. We isolated homologues of the PEBP gene family in upland cotton and examined their regulation and function. Nine PEBP-like genes were cloned and phylogenetic analysis indicated the genes belonged to four subclades (FT, MFT, TFL1 and PEBP). Cotton PEBP-like genes showed distinct expression patterns in relation to different cotton genotypes, photoperiod responsive and cultivar maturity. The GhFT gene expression of a semi-wild race of upland cotton were strongly induced under short day condition, whereas the GhPEBP2 gene expression was induced under long days. We also elucidated that GhFT but not GhPEBP2 interacted with FD-like bZIP transcription factor GhFD and promote flowering under both long- and short-day conditions. The present result indicated that GhPEBP-like genes may perform different functions. This work corroborates the involvement of PEBP-like genes in photoperiod response and regulation of flowering time in different cotton genotypes, and contributes to an improved understanding of the function of PEBP-like genes in cotton.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS, Anyang, 455000, Henan, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xiaohong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS, Anyang, 455000, Henan, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Congcong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS, Anyang, 455000, Henan, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Chaoyou
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS, Anyang, 455000, Henan, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hengling
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS, Anyang, 455000, Henan, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hantao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS, Anyang, 455000, Henan, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Meizhen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS, Anyang, 455000, Henan, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Shuli
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS, Anyang, 455000, Henan, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Shuxun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence / Q000235:genetics; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D035264:Flowers / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D005838:Genotype; D003368:Gossypium / Q000235:genetics*; D005810:Multigene Family / Q000235:genetics; D049488:Phosphatidylethanolamine Binding Protein / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D017440:Photoperiod; D010802:Phylogeny
chemical_list: D049488:Phosphatidylethanolamine Binding Protein