FT protein movement contributes to long-distance signaling in floral induction of Arabidopsis

Science. 2007 May 18;316(5827):1030-3. doi: 10.1126/science.1141752. Epub 2007 Apr 19.

Abstract

In plants, seasonal changes in day length are perceived in leaves, which initiate long-distance signaling that induces flowering at the shoot apex. The identity of the long-distance signal has yet to be determined. In Arabidopsis, activation of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) transcription in leaf vascular tissue (phloem) induces flowering. We found that FT messenger RNA is required only transiently in the leaf. In addition, FT fusion proteins expressed specifically in phloem cells move to the apex and move long distances between grafted plants. Finally, we provide evidence that FT does not activate an intermediate messenger in leaves. We conclude that FT protein acts as a long-distance signal that induces Arabidopsis flowering.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism
  • Arabidopsis / physiology*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Dexamethasone / pharmacology
  • Flowers / growth & development*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Meristem / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Phloem / metabolism
  • Photoperiod
  • Plant Leaves / metabolism
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plant Shoots / metabolism
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Plant / genetics
  • RNA, Plant / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • CONSTANS protein, Arabidopsis
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • FT protein, Arabidopsis
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Plant Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Plant
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • sucrose transport protein, plant
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Dexamethasone