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Published on: May 21, 2019
CbuERF114, an ethylene responsive factor, regulates floral transition in Catalpa bungei
Yue Fei1, Chengcheng Yao2, Jiwen Hu2
1State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Chinese Academy of Forestry and Northeast Forestry University, Beijing, 100091, China.
Abstract:
Understanding the flowering of woody plants is crucial for controlling flowering time and shortening breeding cycles, yet the mechanisms are largely unknown. APETALA2/ethylene response factor (AP2/ERF) transcription factors are essential in floral transition and development. We report an early-flowering (EF) variety of Catalpa bungei that blooms in its planting year, whereas normal-flowering (NF) requires 5-7 years. This study identified 150 CbuAP2/ERF genes in the C. bungei genome, categorized into 4 subfamilies and 17 groups. Expression analysis showed AP2/ERF genes mainly activated during the vegetative to mixed buds transition and predominantly expressed in the stem. To explore CbuERF roles in floral transition, six genes (CbuERF3B/060/071/RAP2-3/114/003-4) induced by floral induction were selected. CbuERF114 expression differed significantly during the reproductive transition between NF and EF. Subcellular localization and transcriptional activation analysis indicated that CbuERF114 is a nuclear protein with a C-terminal transcriptional activation domain. Overexpressing CbuERF114 in Arabidopsis (OE-CbuERF114) delayed bolting and flowering by about 4 days but extended the flowering period, increasing the maximum flowering growth rate by 54.25% and the number of flowers by 58.00%. CbuERF114 inhibited flowering onset but enhanced flowering rate and quantity. These findings advance our understanding of CbuAP2/ERFs in phylogeny, structure, expression, and function, highlighting their importance in the floral transition of woody plants.
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