Expression of lilium pumilum short vegetative phase gene in transgenic nicotiana tabacum delays flower bud differentiation

Abstract

This study is focused on the function of the SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE gene. Based on morphological observation of flower buds, flower bud differentiation occurs during low-temperature storage of Lilium pumilum bulbs and progresses as the duration of low-temperature storage time. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis showed that the relative expression level of the LpSVP gene first increases and then decreases during low temperature storage. Morphological observation combined with gene expression analyses suggested that LpSVP acts as a repressor of flower meristem identification. To further characterise the function of the LpSVP gene, we constructed the plant expression vector pBI121-LpSVP-GFP, and the fusion protein was transferred into wild-type tobacco via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of leaf discs. The resulting transgenic plants exhibited delayed flowering and a more lax inflorescence compared with the wild-type plants. This study lays the foundation for further study of the function of the LpSVP gene.