terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 VviSOC1a and VviAG1 act antagonistically in the regulation of flower formation

VviSOC1a and VviAG1 act antagonistically in the regulation of flower formation

Abstract

The SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS1 (SOC1) is a key floral activator that coordinates external and internal stimuli to ensure timely flowering. During early stages of flower formation, SOC1 represses floral organ identity genes such as AGAMOUS (AG) to prevent premature organ differentiation. In addition to floral organ specification, AG has been shown to regulate fleshy fruit expansion and ripening and, as such, is an important contributor to fruit quality traits. Currently, little is known about the function and gene regulatory network of the grapevine homologs VviSOC1a and VviAG1. As such, the aim of this study was to functionally characterise both genes by overexpressing them in tomato and performing phenotypic and gene expression studies. A dual luciferase (DL) assay involving putative target gene promoters was also conducted. Overexpression of VviSOC1a led to the development of leaf-like sepals, petals with increased chlorophyll content and plant sterility phenotypes. VviAG1-OE lines displayed hastened floral initiation, stamenoid petals, dwarfed fruit, as well as forming fleshy fruit sepals which gave the appearance of ripened pericarp tissue. The observed floral phenotypes were, in part, supported by the modulation of genes required for floral organ specification in tomato. VviSOC1a and VviAG1 displayed opposite expression trends, while also repressing each other’s expression in the DL assay. Collectively, the findings of this study supported a role for VviSOC1a in regulating floral organ specification, through the repression of the stamen and carpel identity gene VviAG1. An additional function for VviAG1 in berry development and ripening is also suggested.

Download the abstract

DOI:

Publication date: June 13, 2024

Issue: Open GPB 2024

Type: Poster

Authors

Jenna Jolliffe1,2, Claudio Moser2, Stefania Pilati2 and Justin Lashbrooke3*

1South African Grape and Wine Research Institute, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
2Research and Innovation Centre, Edmund Mach Foundation, San Michele all’Adige, 38098, Italy
3Department of Genetics, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa

Contact the author*

Keywords

SOC1, AG1, Flower, transcription factor, development

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Open GPB | Open GPB 2024

Citation

Related articles…

Potential use of the yeast Starmerella bacillaris as a sustainable biocontrol agent against gray mold disease in viticulture

Pest biocontrol strategies are gaining attention as eco-friendly alternatives to the use of synthetic pesticides, including in viticulture.

Read More

Leveraging the grapevine drought response to increase vineyard sustainability

In this video recording of the IVES science meeting 2024, Silvina Dayer (PhD in Agronomy, Les Sanctuaires du Mirazur-Groupe Mauro Colagreco, Menton, France) speaks about grapevine drought response to increase vineyard sustainability. This presentation is based on an original article accessible for free on IVES Technical Reviews.

Read More

DO MICROPLASTICS IN VINEYARD SOIL AFFECT THE BIOAVAILABILITY OF VINE NUTRITION?

Microplastics can alter physicochemical and biogeochemical processes in the soil, but whether these changes have further effects on soil fertility, and if so, whether these effects vary depending on the type of soil in the vineyard and the type of plastic used in the vineyard. Knowing what types of plastics are currently used in vineyards in Slovenian viticultural regions as strings to tie vines to the stake, the aim of our study was to assess the effects of microplastic particles from polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) on the availability of macro (potassium (K), Potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and phosphate (P)) and micronutrients (iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn)) in two vineyard soils contrasting in pH and mineralogy. For this purpose, a short-term soil incubation experiment (120 days) was carried out in which the soil samples were enriched with micro-PP and micro-PVC particles. After the incubation period, macro- and micronutrient availability were measured.

Read More

Advancements in genetic and environmental factors for grapevine breeding against grape ripe rot

Completed or ongoing projects were designed to identify, refine, and optimize phenotypic and molecular criteria for genetic improvement and management practices, aiming to reduce the incidence and severity of grape ripe rot (GRR).

Read More

Carbon isotope discrimination in berry juice sugars: changes in response to soil water deficits across a range of vitis vinifera cultivars

In wine producing regions around the world, climate change has the potential to decrease the frequency and amount of precipitation and increase average and extreme temperatures. This will lower soil water availability and increase evaporative demand, thereby increasing the frequency and intensity of water deficit experienced in vineyards. Among other things, grapevines manage water deficit by regulating stomatal closure. The dynamics of this regulation, however, have not been well characterized across the range of Vitis vinifera cultivars. Providing a method to understand how different cultivars regulate their stomata, and hence water use in response to changes in soil water deficits will help growers manage vineyards and select plant material to better meet quality and yield objectives in a changing climate.

Read More