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Updated: Oct 13, 2025

Combining Histochemical Staining and Image Analysis to Quantify Starch in the Ovary Primordia of Sweet Cherry during Winter Dormancy
Published on: March 20, 2019
Cold induced genes (CIGs) regulate flower development and dormancy in Prunus avium L
Jiyuan Wang1, Xunju Liu1, Wanxia Sun1
1Department of Plant Science, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Minhang, Shanghai 200240, China.
Two cold-induced genes (CIGs), PavCIG1 and PavCIG2, were identified in sweet cherry. These genes regulate flower development and dormancy by responding to cold and light, impacting flowering time.
Area of Science:
- Plant molecular biology
- Fruit tree genetics
- Hormonal regulation in plants
Background:
- Flower bud development in fruit trees is influenced by environmental factors and hormones during winter dormancy.
- The molecular mechanisms governing sweet cherry flower development during dormancy, particularly in response to light, temperature, and abscisic acid (ABA), are poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize cold-induced genes (CIGs) in sweet cherry involved in flower bud development during dormancy.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the response of sweet cherry flower development to environmental cues like light and temperature.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analysis to identify CIGs (PavCIG1, PavCIG2) related to known DREB genes.
- Subcellular localization, seasonal expression analysis, and low-temperature induction assays.
- Ectopic expression in Arabidopsis to assess functional roles in flowering and gene regulation.
- Analysis of interactions with light (PavHY5) and ABA (PavABI5-like) responsive pathways.
Main Results:
- PavCIG1 and PavCIG2 were identified as nucleus-localized CIGs in sweet cherry, with higher expression during winter endodormancy and induced by low temperatures.
- Ectopic expression of PavCIG1 and PavCIG2 in Arabidopsis led to delayed flowering.
- PavCIG2 positively regulates the light-responsive gene PavHY5, and PavHY5 shows a feedback regulation on PavCIG2.
- ABA-responsive protein PavABI5-like enhances the transcriptional activity of PavCIG1 and PavCIG2.
- The target gene PavCAL-like, regulated by PavCIGs, is involved in floral initiation.
Conclusions:
- PavCIG1 and PavCIG2 are key regulators of flower development and dormancy in sweet cherry, responding to cold and light cues.
- These genes interact with light and ABA signaling pathways to control flowering time.
- The findings provide insights into the molecular basis of dormancy and floral initiation in fruit trees.
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