Abstract
CONSTANS (CO) and CONSTANS-like (COL) are two centrally important flowering-related genes in the photoperiodic pathway of Cymbidium, an economically important orchid genus within the Orchidaceae. To assess how photoperiod affects flowering in three Cymbidium species, CsCOL1, CgCOL, and CeCOL were isolated and characterized from Cymbidium sinense, Cymbidium goeringii, and Cymbidium ensifolium, respectively. CsCOL1, CgCOL, and CeCOL, which contain a CCT domain and two conserved B-box zinc fingers, belong to Group Ic in the CO/COL protein family. These three genes, which were expressed in all organs, especially in the leaves, exhibited the same diurnal rhythm and were abundant in the late light period under long days (LD). However, their diurnal oscillation rhythm under short days (SD) differed. CsCOL1 was highly transcribed in the late dark period under SD. CeCOL was rapidly suppressed in the light, increased in the dark, and peaked at the end of the dark period under SD. CgCOL expression gradually increased, peaking after 4 h of darkness under SD. When CsCOL1 and CeCOL were overexpressed in Arabidopsis under LD, flowering was promoted, suggesting that CsCOL1 and CeCOL may be floral inducers in C. sinense and C. ensifolium, respectively. The overexpression of CgCOL delayed flowering in Arabidopsis, suggesting that it may act as a floral repressor in C. goeringii. This study provides greater insight into the molecular mechanisms regulating flowering time in three Cymbidium species, specifically related to photoperiod. This has practical implications for controlled flower production in potted Cymbidium greenhouse production systems.
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Acknowledgements
This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (CNSF31101572), the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (2019A1515011288), the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2018YFD1000403), the Science and Technology Project Foundation of Guangzhou (201707010345), the Science and Technology Project Foundation of Guangdong Province (2015A020209095), and Biological Resources Programme, Chinese Academy of Sciences (KFJ-BRP-007). The study was also supported by the Foundation of Key Laboratory of South China Agricultural Plant Molecular Analysis and Genetic Improvement, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
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JZ carried out the experiments and wrote the initial draft of the manuscript. XZ and KW participated in functional analysis. RT participated in gene cloning. SZ cultured and provided the experimental material. JD supervised the project. JATdS critically evaluated the study protocol and data, interpreted it, and revised all drafts of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final draft of the manuscript.
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Zhang, J., Zhao, X., Tian, R. et al. Molecular Cloning and Functional Analysis of Three CONSTANS-Like Genes from Chinese Cymbidium. J Plant Growth Regul 39, 1061–1074 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-019-10044-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-019-10044-9