VRN3 — Brachypodium distachyon

Summary

BRADI_2G19670V3 (symbol VRN3, also known as BdFTL10) on chromosome 2 of Brachypodium distachyon encodes a phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP family). The gene is associated with the regulation of flowering time, including photoperiodism, the transition from vegetative to reproductive phase, inflorescence and flower development, and vernalization response. It is linked to both upregulation of vernalization response and downregulation of flower development, as well as memory and response to short-day conditions. The encoded protein localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to heading date, grain number, grain weight, spikelet number, drought tolerance, and yield traits, though these associations are not yet established in Brachypodium.