In silico Functional Analysis of FLC and FT-Genes Responsible for Postponingand Accelerating the Onset of Flowering

Abstract

In silico functional analyses of FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) and FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) genes were investigated herein. The recognition of cis-regulatory modules and their organization are a prerequisite to information on the regulation of gene expression. Accordingly, this study carried out a promoter analysis on FT and FLC genes in Arabidopsis and its orthologs in Prunus persica by PlantPan and PLANCARE servers in which the integrating transcription factor binding site (TFBs) was involved in hormonal and stress signals. Light responsive elements were also studied. Among the responsive elements identified in FT and FLC, Arabidopsis had the highest number of responsive elements. This is partly because P. persica is day-neutral, whereas Arabidopsis is a facultative long day plant. The results of motif recognition in FT and FLC proteins with the MEME server showed that FT is highly conserved, but the number of motifs suggests that the FLC protein had far more numerous motifs, which is likely due to its higher amino acid length. Some specified TFs like AGAMOUS (AG), AGAMOUS LIKE (AGL), LEAFY (LFY) and APETALA1 (AP1) were found by the PlantPan web server in FT and FLC promoters’ analysis. They were also present in the protein-protein interaction network analysis which raises the question whether or not FT or FLC can be positive or negative regulators of their own expression in a feedback loop.