In Silico and Quantitative Analyses of the Putative FLC-like Homologue in Coffee (Coffea arabica L.)

Abstract

The sequential pattern of coffee flowering is a major constraint that directly affects productivity, increases harvest costs, and generates a final product of lower quality for mixing dry fruits with ripe and unripe ones. The objective of this work was to identify and analyze one of the main genes involved in flowering regulation, FLOWER-ING LOCUS C (FLC) in coffee (Coffea arabica L.). The identification of this gene was conducted in silico using a coffee EST database (CAFEST) and bioinformatics tools. Quantitative PCR results suggest that the identified CaFLClike homologue is directly involved in flowering regulation in coffee. This expands our knowledge on evolutionary conservation of flowering pathways in dicot species. The functional studies of CaFLC-like with mutants of a more tractable species will lead to a better understanding of the molecular regulation as well as the specific functions of each gene flowering during floral induction in coffee.

Expression of coffee florigen CaFT1 reveals a sustained floral induction window associated with asynchronous flowering in tropical perennials

“…The finding that CaFLC expression varied widely in different coffee tissues such as, roots, leaf, SAM at all floral and fruit developmental stages (de Oliveira et al, 2014) suggests functions other than flowering repression, such as coordinating organogenesis together with SOC1 as reported in Arabidopsis (Deng et al, 2011). In support of a possible role in organogenesis, CaFLC expression is upregulated in response to drought (Barreto et al, 2012), which coincides with the growth latency in the G4 stage interpreted as a dormant stage (Wormer and Gituanja 1970;Majerowicz and Söndahl, 2005). At present, however, no direct mechanism for this has been described yet (reviewed by Lopez et al, 2021 in press).…”

“…PIF4 is responsive to warmer temperatures and positively regulates FT expression, whereas FLC is a repressor that is inactivated by prolonged cold periods (vernalization) allowing FT expression and flowering initiation (Michaels et al, 2005;Amasino, 2010). FLC homologs together with other MADS-box genes were described in C. arabica (de Oliveira et al, 2010;2014) and related to drought (Barreto et al, 2012) that occurs in the cold period of the Brazilian winter. However, the interplay between the FT pathway and environmental signals through the identification and analysis of CO, PIF4 and FLC and their roles in modulating floral induction is poorly understood in perennials and has never been explored in coffee.…”

Homeologous regulation of Frigida-like genes provides insights on reproductive development and somatic embryogenesis in the allotetraploid Coffea arabica

“…Barreto et al . 41 detected FLC expression in organs exposed to abiotic and biotic stresses, We identified a quite similar expression pattern across CaFRLs , with high transcription at the white 1 stage and lower transcription during the later stages, except for CaFRL-3 ( AtFRI ortholog), the expression of which increased later during anthesis (Fig. 5A).…”

Advances in Plant Breeding Strategies: Nut and Beverage Crops

“…This development provides a greater venue for faster integration of improved crops for commercial exploitation (Mittler and Shulaev 2013). Therefore, studies on functional genomics of coffee hold great significance in understanding the various mechanisms associated with different physiological processes, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, improved productivity and quality which have potential implications for the genetic improvement of coffee (Barreto et al 2012;Lima et al 2002). Furthermore, a repository of robusta genotypes in the form of clones encompassing improved traits will greatly facilitate the robusta improvement programs.…”