LHP1 — Arabidopsis thaliana

Summary

AT5G17690 (LHP1, also known as TFL2) on Arabidopsis thaliana chromosome 5 encodes a chromodomain-containing protein that binds histones and chromatin, and is a structural constituent of chromatin. It is associated with heterochromatin organization, nucleus organization, and regulation of cell fate determination. LHP1 is linked to plant architecture, floral whorl and sepal formation, and the vegetative-to-reproductive phase transition. The gene has been connected to numerous agronomic traits including seed weight, yield, leaf area, stem length, root branching, photoperiod-sensitive flowering time, and responses to abiotic stresses such as cold, heat, and salt. It is also associated with pathogen resistance, including to Meloidogyne incognita and aphids, and with hormone content and sensitivity for abscisic acid, cytokinin, and auxin. Studies of related genes in other species link the LHP1 family to transposon silencing and pathogen susceptibility.