VviPLATZ1 is a major factor that controls female flower morphology determination in grapevine

Abstract

Plant genetic sex determinants that mediate the transition to dioecy are predicted to be diverse, as this type of mating system independently evolved multiple times in angiosperms. Wild Vitis species are dioecious with individuals producing morphologically distinct female or male flowers; whereas, modern domesticated Vitis vinifera cultivars form hermaphrodite flowers capable of self-pollination. Here, we identify the VviPLATZ1 transcription factor as a key candidate female flower morphology factor that localizes to the Vitis SEX-DETERMINING REGION. The expression pattern of this gene correlates with the formation reflex stamens, a prominent morphological phenotype of female flowers. After generating CRISPR/Cas9 gene-edited alleles in a hermaphrodite genotype, phenotype analysis shows that individual homozygous lines produce flowers with reflex stamens. Taken together, our results demonstrate that loss of VviPLATZ1 function is a major factor that controls female flower morphology in Vitis.

Integration of GWAS, linkage analysis and transcriptome analysis to reveal the genetic basis of flowering time-related traits in maize

“…In rice, OsbZIP62 , which is a functional orthologue of FLOWERING LOCUS D, regulates the floral transition and panicle development ( Kaur et al., 2021 ). In grapevine, VviPLATZ1 is a major factor that controls female flower morphology determination ( Iocco-Corena et al., 2021 ).…”

Identifying Genes Associated with Female Flower Development of Phellodendron amurense Rupr. Using a Transcriptomics Approach

“…Additionally, FMO3 , ATPD , WRKY21 , and exostosin are located in the sex-determined region of plants with unknown specific functions [ 148 , 176 , 214 ]. Their specific functions need further study.…”

Genetic changes in the genus Vitis and the domestication of vine

“…Thus, many authors identified male and female sterile candidate genes in the SDR, like VviYABBY3 (YABBY transcription factor-coding gene), VviAPT3 (adenine phosphoribosyltransferase) for femalesterility and VviINP1 (inperturate pollen1) INDEL and WRKY for male sterility (Badouin et al, 2020;Massonnet et al, 2020;Zou et al, 2021). Moreover, a transcription factor of the PLATZ gene family, VviPLATZ1, also localized to the Vitis SDR, was described as a key regulator of female flower formation, and the loss of its function results in the development of reflex stamens, so reducing self-fertilization (Iocco-Corena et al, 2021) In the first stages of floral differentiation, all flowers are morphologically the same (Ramos et al, 2014). In the process of differentiation and floral development, there are several influencing factors, of which the concentration of hormones plays a main role, as these are the main transducers of genetic information.…”