New Insights into Flowering Regulation: Impact of Carbon and Nitrogen Signalling on Floral Repressors in Arabidopsis

18.11.2024

The Trehalose 6-phosphate pathway impacts on Flowering Locus C (FLC). Photo: Gramma, Olas, and Zacharaki et al. (2024), Plant Physiology, Fig. 1C.

An international research team, including Dr Justyna Olas who is co-first author on this study, has uncovered fundamental mechanisms regulating flowering time in Arabidopsis thaliana, as detailed in a recent publication in the journal Plant Physiology. The study investigates the interplay between carbon and nitrogen signalling pathways and their influence on the expression of the floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). Dr Olas, now a junior research group leader at the Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ), continues to integrate these findings into her ongoing research towards sustainable and resilient agrifood systems.

The study demonstrates that carbon and nitrogen signals are crucial regulators of flowering time. Both, the trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P) and nitrogen signaling pathways converge within the flowering network to modulates the activity of the same target: FLC. These findings highlight how these nutrient signalling pathways are intricately linked, working together to fine-tune flowering processes. This precise regulation enables plants to optimally adapt their development to environmental conditions and nutrient availability. These insights advance our understanding of the complex signalling mechanisms that govern plant development and environmental adaptation

These findings offer potential avenues for developing plants that utilize resources more efficiently and better withstand climate challenges.

Read the open access article in Plant Physiology:

Gramma, V.; Olas, J.J.; Zacharaki, V.; Ponnu, J.; Musialak-Lange, M.; Wahl, V. (2024) Carbon and nitrogen signaling regulate FLOWERING LOCUS C and impact flowering time in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiology. DOI:10.1093/plphys/kiae594

Further information
More details on Dr Olas’ current research on trehalose-6-phosphate in plant thermormemory can be found here: https://igzev.de/en/research/research-groups/adaptjr

Contact at IGZ
Dr Justyna Olas, Junior Research Group Leader | Email: olas@igzev.de | Phone: +49 (0) 33701 78 244
Julia Vogt, Press and Public Relations | Email: presse@igzev.de | Phone +49 (0) 33 701 78 163

Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops
The Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ) is a research institute of the Leibniz Association and contributes to solving current global challenges with science-based findings from basic and applied research in horticulture. These include the preservation of biodiversity, combating climate change and the still widespread malnutrition. The institute is jointly funded by the Ministry of Science, Research and Culture of the State of Brandenburg (MWFK) and the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). The IGZ is based in Großbeeren.

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