Constans: Difference between revisions

The CO/FT regulatory module is a highly conserved pathway that is seen in all flowering plants. The flowering period for any given plant is incredibly important for reproductive success and survival, thus flowering period regulating genes are highly conserved. Green algae contain the most preserved characteristics in the plant kingdom and contain Constans-like genes (COLs). Mutated genes in ''Chlamydomonas'' revealed an encoded protein that shared likeness to COLS. This protein had a conserved zinc finger region and two N-terminal B-boxes. When comparing the presence of these proteins to the evolutionary age of compared plants, the presence of COL genes in green algae is consistent with the hypothesis that these genes appeared prior to or shortly after the photosynthetic endosymbiotic event. While not proven, it is suggested that COLs play some role in photoperiod regulation. For example, in'' Chlamydomonas'', the protein CrCO was identified. MRNA accumulation did not correlate with the photoperiod of'' Chlamydomonas'', however, there was a correlation observed between the peak of the short day period and CrCO mRNA, suggesting that there is some retained photoperiod influence. Overall, phylogenetic evidence suggests the COLs evolved from a singular b-box and CCT to two b-boxes with an extensive CCT region. In ''Arabidopsis'', COLs do not serve any known roles in the regulation of flowering, suggesting a diversion of function. Flowering regulation through CO and its homolog COLS suggests a strong conservation of photoperiod pathways.