New insights into flowering regulation: Impact of carbon and nitrogen signaling on floral repressors in Arabidopsis

by

Editors' notes

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

fact-checked

proofread

Arabidopsis thaliana. Credit: Wikipedia.

An international research team, including Dr. Justyna Olas who is co-first author on the study, has uncovered fundamental mechanisms regulating flowering time in Arabidopsis thaliana, as detailed in a recent publication in the journal Plant Physiology.

The study investigates the interplay between carbon and nitrogen signaling pathways and their influence on the expression of the floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). Dr. Olas, now a junior research group leader at the Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ), continues to integrate these findings into her ongoing research towards sustainable and resilient agrifood systems.

The study demonstrates that carbon and nitrogen signals are crucial regulators of flowering time. Both, the trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P) and nitrogen signaling pathways converge within the flowering network to modulate the activity of the same target: FLC.

These findings highlight how these nutrient signaling pathways are intricately linked, working together to fine-tune flowering processes. This precise regulation enables plants to optimally adapt their development to environmental conditions and nutrient availability.

These insights advance our understanding of the complex signaling mechanisms that govern plant development and environmental adaptation.

The findings offer potential avenues for developing plants that utilize resources more efficiently and better withstand climate challenges.

More information: Vladislav Gramma et al, Carbon and nitrogen signaling regulate FLOWERING LOCUS C and impact flowering time in Arabidopsis, Plant Physiology (2024). DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiae594

Provided by Leibniz-Institut für Gemüse- und Zierpflanzenbau (IGZ)