<i>Arabidopsis</i> RUP2 represses UVR8-mediated flowering in noninductive photoperiods

Abstract

Plants have evolved complex photoreceptor-controlled mechanisms to sense and respond to seasonal changes in day length. This ability allows plants to optimally time the transition from vegetative growth to flowering. UV-B is an important part intrinsic to sunlight; however, whether and how it affects photoperiodic flowering has remained elusive. Here, we report that, in the presence of UV-B, genetic mutation of <i>REPRESSOR OF UV-B PHOTOMORPHOGENESIS 2</i> (<i>RUP2</i>) renders the facultative long day plant <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> a day-neutral plant and that this phenotype is dependent on the UV RESISTANCE LOCUS 8 (UVR8) UV-B photoreceptor. We provide evidence that the floral repression activity of RUP2 involves direct interaction with CONSTANS, repression of this key activator of flowering, and suppression of <i>FLOWERING LOCUS T</i> transcription. RUP2 therefore functions as an essential repressor of UVR8-mediated induction of flowering under noninductive short day conditions and thus provides a crucial mechanism of photoperiodic flowering control.