Frontiers in Plant Science (Jun 2019)

The Four FAD-Dependent Histone Demethylases of Arabidopsis Are Differently Involved in the Control of Flowering Time

  • Damiano Martignago,
  • Damiano Martignago,
  • Benedetta Bernardini,
  • Fabio Polticelli,
  • Fabio Polticelli,
  • Daniele Salvi,
  • Alessandra Cona,
  • Riccardo Angelini,
  • Paraskevi Tavladoraki

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2019.00669
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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In Arabidopsis thaliana, four FAD-dependent lysine-specific histone demethylases (LDL1, LDL2, LDL3, and FLD) are present, bearing both a SWIRM and an amine oxidase domain. In this study, a comparative analysis of gene structure, evolutionary relationships, tissue- and organ-specific expression patterns, physiological roles and target genes for the four Arabidopsis LDL/FLDs is reported. Phylogenetic analysis evidences a different evolutionary history for the four LDL/FLDs, while promoter activity data show that LDL/FLDs are strongly expressed during plant development and embryogenesis, with some gene-specific expression patterns. Furthermore, phenotypical analysis of loss-of-function mutants indicates a role of all four Arabidopsis LDL/FLD genes in the control of flowering time, though for some of them with opposing effects. This study contributes toward a better understanding of the LDL/FLD physiological roles and may provide biotechnological strategies for crop improvement.

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