FT — Cucumis sativus

Summary

CSA_1G651710 (FT, also known as CsHD3A, CsTSF, CmFT) on cucumber chromosome 1 encodes an FT-like protein belonging to the phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP) family. The gene product is annotated with mRNA regulatory element binding translation repressor activity, peptide-O-fucosyltransferase activity, phosphatidylethanolamine binding, and DNA binding transcription factor activity, among other molecular functions. In cucumber, FT is associated with sex differentiation, floral whorl development, flower formation, photoperiodism, response to short-day conditions, and maintenance of floral meristem identity. It is also linked to traits including photoperiod-sensitive flowering time, male and female flowering, fruit set, seed viability, and yield. The gene has been connected to phenotypes such as floral transition timing, branching, bud dormancy, and heat tolerance. Studies of related genes in other species link the PEBP family to tuber formation, photoperiod sensitivity, plant architecture, and inflorescence development.