Mutations in <i>HEADING DATE 1</i> affect transcription and cell wall composition in rice
Plants utilize environmental information to modify their developmental trajectories for optimal survival and reproduction. Over a century ago, day length (photoperiod) was identified as a major factor influencing developmental transitions, particularly the shift from vegetative to reproductive growth. In rice (Oryza sativa), exposure to day lengths shorter than a critical threshold accelerates flowering, while longer days inhibit this process. This response is mediated by HEADING DATE 1 (Hd1), a zinc finger transcription factor that is central in the photoperiodic flowering network. Hd1 acts as a repressor of flowering under long days but functions as a promoter of flowering under short days. However, how global transcription of genes downstream of Hd1 changes in response to the photoperiod is still not fully understood. Furthermore, it is unclear whether Hd1 target genes are solely involved in flowering time control or mediate additional functions. In this study, we utilized RNA-Seq to analyze the transcriptome of hd1 mutants under both long and short day conditions. We identified genes involved in the phenylpropanoid pathway that are deregulated under long days in the mutant. Quantitative profiling of cell wall components and abiotic stress assays suggested that Hd1 is involved in processes considered unrelated to flowering control. This indicates that day length perception and responses are intertwined with physiological processes beyond flowering.
Authors
- Ignacio Ezquer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1886-0095)
- Elide Formentin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7994-4666)
- A. Baldini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7830-4616)
- Fabio Fornara (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1050-0477)
- David S. Horner (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6739-2657)
- Elahe Tavakol (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1895-8482)
- Stephan Wenkel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5764-9423)
- Daniele Chirivì (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6559-7851)
- Franziska Turck (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4982-5949)
- Vittoria Brambilla (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0673-6898)
- John P. Moore (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6028-2084)
- Bahman Khahani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4499-2825)
- Giorgio Perrella (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8972-1733)
- Matteo Chiara (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3983-4961)
- Camilla Betti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3522-6440)
- Eugene Badenhorst
- Marco Biancucci (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2586-1192)
- Fiorella Lo Schiavo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6349-7953)
- Fabio Dobetti
- Tenai Eguen
Institutions
- University of Copenhagen (DK)
- University of Padua (IT)
- Shiraz University (IR)
- University of Milan (IT)
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (US)
- Stellenbosch University (ZA)
- Umeå Plant Science Centre (SE)
- Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research (DE)
- Umeå University (SE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
- Published
- 2025-03-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiaf120
- Citations
- 6
- Primary Topic
- Plant Molecular Biology Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 8.75
Funders
- Università degli Studi di Milano
- Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca