The MADS-box transcription factor SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP) gene have important functions in flowering and dormancy regulation. However, the molecular mechanism of PavSVP regulating flowering and dormancy in sweet cherry remains unknown. We identified a MADS-box gene SVP-like named PavSVP from sweet cherry, which was closely to PmSVP and PpSVP from Prunus mume and Prunus persica by using phylogenetic tree analysis, suggesting a conserved function with these evolutionarily closer SVP homologs. Subcellular localization analysis indicated that, PavSVP was localized in the nucleus and cytomembrane. PavSVP expression in sweet cherries were observed in vegetative and floral tissues, but much higher level in flower buds. The seasonal expression level of PavSVP was higher during the stage of summer growth in flower buds, and declined gradually toward dormancy and flower initiation. Ectopic expression of PavSVP induced a delayed flowering and the occurrence of abnormal flowers, including curly sepals and plicated siliques in Arabidopsis. Furthermore, protein interaction analysis showed that PavSVP interacted with PavSEP, PavAP1 and PavJONITLESS. Unlike PavSVP, over-expression of PavSEP in Arabidopsis caused early flowering phenotype. In addition, the expression of PavSEP in flower buds was low in summer. These results will help reveal the molecular mechanisms of PavSVP in maintaining the suppression phase of flowering in sweet cherry during summer and winter.

MADS框转录因子短生植物阶段（SVP）基因在开花和休眠调节中具有重要功能。然而，PavSVP调节甜樱桃开花和休眠的分子机制仍然未知。我们确定了MADS-box基因SVP样命名PavSVP甜樱桃，这是密切PmSVP和PpSVP从梅和桃用进化树分析，建议保守功能与这些进化上更接近高级副总裁同系物。亚细胞定位分析表明，PavSVP位于细胞核和细胞膜中。在营养和花卉组织中观察到甜樱桃中的PavSVP表达，但是在花蕾中表达的水平高得多。在夏季花蕾生长的过程中，PavSVP的季节表达水平较高，而在休眠和开花初期逐渐下降。异位表达PavSVP诱导的延迟开花和异常花卉，包括卷曲萼片和在折襞角果发生拟南芥。此外，蛋白质相互作用分析表明，PavSVP与PavSEP，PavAP1和PavJONITLESS相互作用。不像PavSVP，过表达PavSEP在拟南芥引起早期开花表型。另外，表达夏季花蕾中的PavSEP较低。这些结果将有助于揭示PavSVP在夏季和冬季维持甜樱桃开花抑制阶段的分子机制。