Different Expression Patterns and Interactions with Time Recorder DAL1 Revealed the Gene Expansion and Functional Differentiation of Flowering Integrator SOC1 During Larch Aging
摘要
MADS-box transcription factors are key regulators of plant reproductive phase change. Larix kaempferi homologs of DEFICIENS-AGAMOUS-LIKE 1 (DAL1) and SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS 1 (SOC1) have age-dependent expression patterns, characteristic of regulators of plant reproductive phase change. L. kaempferi DAL1 is suggested to be a time recorder and life-cycle event coordinator, and its homologous protein in Pinus tabuliformis interacts with PtMADS11 (a SOC1 homolog). However, there are several SOC1 homologs in L. kaempferi, it is still unknown as to their interaction relationships with LaDAL1. Here, seven SOC1-like genes (LaSOC1-7) were characterized in L. kaempferi, and it was found that LaSOC1-3, LaSOC1-5, and LaSOC1-6 interacted with LaDAL1 based on yeast two-hybrid assays and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays. Furthermore, the expression patterns of seven SOC1-like genes during tree aging were also different. These results revealed the expansion and functional differentiation of SOC1 in L. kaempferi, providing more information about the roles of the age-related MADS-box transcription factors in L. kaempferi reproductive phase change.