PIF1 — Arabidopsis thaliana

Summary

AT2G20180, also known as PIF1 or PIL5, encodes a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor of the PIF3-like family that is annotated with transcription regulator activator activity and phytochrome binding. In Arabidopsis, PIF1 is associated with the regulation of morphogenesis, the phytochrome signaling pathway, and responses to light stimuli including very low fluence red light. The gene has been linked to numerous traits such as germination ratio, seedling height, far red light sensitivity, drought recovery, chlorophyll ratio, seed volume and shape, stem number, tiller angle, and flower diameter. It is also associated with processes including hormone metabolism, plastid gene expression, nuclear transport, and responses to water-immersion stress and silver ion. Studies of related genes in other species link the PIF1 family to fruit yield, ripening, lycopene and carotene content, cold tolerance, grain yield, and shade tolerance.