Molecular Mechanisms of Flowering Regulation in Plants
Summary
Flowering is governed by a complex network of genetic pathways that respond to internal developmental signals and external environmental cues. Central to this network are integrator genes such as FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) and TERMINAL FLOWER1 (TFL1), members of the phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP) family, which respectively promote and repress the floral transition. Upstream regulatory modules include photoperiod sensing via the CONSTANS–FT axis, vernalization-mediated silencing of floral repressors, thermosensory pathways that modulate RNA processing and hormone levels, and circadian-clock components that provide temporal gating. Epigenetic mechanisms, including histone modifications and long noncoding RNAs, establish a memory of seasonal exposure and ensure a robust commitment to flowering. The florigen protein travels from leaves to the shoot apical meristem through regulated transport machinery, culminating in assembly of transcriptional complexes that activate floral identity genes. Understanding these molecular controls has direct implications for crop adaptation, yield optimisation and resilience to climate change.
Research from Nature Portfolio
High-resolution genomic sequencing of a diverse collection of cauliflower accessions has uncovered a stepwise domestication trajectory in which three MADS-box genes (CAL1, CAL2 and FUL2) were repeatedly targeted to modulate floral-organ identity and inflorescence architecture. Functional genomics and genome-wide association studies identified additional loci influencing stem height and developmental timing, shedding light on the interplay between floral regulators and growth traits that underpin both flowering and crop morphology.
Molecular Mechanisms of Flowering Regulation in Plants publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in molecular mechanisms of flowering regulation in plants across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Florigen: A mobile protein signal, principally FT, that travels from leaves to the shoot apex to initiate flowering.
MADS-box transcription factor: A family of DNA-binding proteins that regulate genes controlling floral organ identity and developmental transitions.
Photoperiod: The relative duration of light and dark periods, which influences flowering through light-responsive pathways.
Vernalization: The requirement for prolonged exposure to low temperature to enable subsequent floral induction.
Epigenetic memory: Stable heritable changes in gene expression mediated by chromatin modifications rather than DNA sequence.
References
- Genomic analyses reveal the stepwise domestication and genetic mechanism of curd biogenesis in cauliflower. Nature Genetics (2024).
- Plants use molecular mechanisms mediated by biomolecular condensates to integrate environmental cues with development. The Plant Cell (2023).
- FTIP1 Is an Essential Regulator Required for Florigen Transport. PLOS Biology (2012).
- Potent Induction of Arabidopsis thaliana Flowering by Elevated Growth Temperature. PLOS Genetics (2006).
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