Genome-wide characterization of PEBP gene family in Perilla frutescens and PfFT1 promotes flowering time in Arabidopsis thaliana

Abstract

Phosphatidylethanolamine-binding proteins (PEBP) family plays important roles in regulating plant flowering time and morphogenesis. However, geneme-wide identification and functional analysis of PEBP genes in the rigorous short-day plant Perilla frutescens ( PfPEBP ) have not been studied. In this study, 10 PfPEBP were identified and divided into three subfamilies based on their phylogenetic relationships: FT-like, TFL1-like and MFT-like. Gene structure analysis showed that all PfPEBP genes contain 4 exons and 3 introns. Motifs DPDxP and GIHR essential for anion-binding activity are highly conserved in PfPEBP. A large number of light-responsive elements were detected in promoter regions of PfPEBP . Gene expression of PfFT1 exhibited a diurnal rhythm. It was highly expressed in leaves under the short-day photoperiod, but higher in flowers and seeds under the long-day photoperiod. Overexpression of PfFT1 in Arabidopsis thaliana not only promoted early flowering of Col-0 or Ler, but also rescued the late flowering phenotype of ft-1 mutant. We concluded that PfFT1 promotes early flowering by regulating the expression of flowering-related genes AtAP1 , AtLFY , AtFUL and AtSOC1 . In conclusion, our results provided valuable information for elucidating the functions of PfPEBP in P . frutescens and shed light on the promoting effect of PfFT1 on flowering.