AfLFY, a LEAFY homolog in Argyranthemum frutescens, controls flowering time and leaf development

Flowering is important for plant propagation and survival, and it is also closely related to human life. Identifying the molecular mechanisms underlying flower development is essential for plant improvement and breeding. Flower development is a complex physiological process that is regulated by multiple genes. LFY genes play important roles in the floral meristem transition and act as crucial integrators in regulating the floral gene network. Argyranthemum frutescens is an ornamental species cultivated for floral displays, yet little is known about molecular mechanisms driving its flower development. In this study, the LEAFY gene homologue, AfLFY, was identified and cloned from A. frutescens, and its role and expression patterns were characterized. Two distinct copies of AfLFY were found in the A. frutescens genome and both sequences contained a 1248 bp open reading frame that encoded 415 amino acids. The putative protein sequences have a typical LFY family domain. In addition, AfLFY was expressed at the highest levels in young leaves of the vegetative stage and in the shoot apical bud meristem of the reproductive stage. Phylogenetic analysis showed that AfLFY was most closely related to DFL from Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium. Subcellular localization studies revealed that AfLFY localized to the nucleus. Heterologous expression of AfLFY in transgenic tobacco plants shortened its period of vegetative growth, converted the lateral meristems into terminal flowers and promoted precocious flowering. In addition, transgenic plants exhibited obvious morphological changes in leaf shape. qRT-PCR analysis indicated that the expression levels genes related to flowering, FT, SOC1, and AP1 were significantly upregulated in AfLFY transgenic plants. Our findings suggested that the AfLFY gene plays a vital role in promoting flowering and leaf development in A. frutescens. These results laid a foundation for us to understand the mechanism of AfLFY in regulation flowering, and the results will be helpful in improving A. frutescens through molecular breeding.