FT — Arabidopsis thaliana

Summary

AT1G65480, known as FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) in Arabidopsis thaliana, encodes a phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP family) with multiple molecular functions including mRNA regulatory element binding translation repressor activity, peptide-O-fucosyltransferase activity, and DNA binding transcription factor activity. FT is associated with flower formation, floral whorl development, organ induction, phloem unloading, chromatin looping, and regulation of transport. It localizes to the plasmodesma, endoplasmic reticulum, cytosol, and other cellular compartments. The gene is linked to numerous agronomic traits including flowering time, grain size, harvest index, stem number, drought recovery, photoperiod sensitivity, leaf area index, and abscisic acid content. FT interacts with FD and SPY, and participates in pathways such as translocation of florigen complexes and brassinosteroid signaling. Related genes in other species are linked to tuberization, plant architecture, photoperiod response, and yield traits.