CO — Daucus carota subsp. sativus

Summary

DCAR_007537 (DcCO) on carrot chromosome 2 encodes a CONSTANS-like protein with B-box and CCT domains, and is annotated with diverse molecular functions including OGTase, peptide-O-fucosyltransferase, histone methylase, and red/far-red light photoreceptor activities. The gene is associated with photoperiodic flowering regulation, particularly upregulation of short-day flowering and response to long-day and short-day conditions, as well as chlorophyll breakdown, phytochrome signaling, circadian clock photoentrainment, and drought escape pathways. It is linked to numerous agronomic traits including photoperiod sensitivity, vegetative vigor, leaf morphology, seed protein content, iron content, nematode damage response, water stress response, and inflorescence branch arrangement. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to photoperiod-dependent flowering time, tuberization, stress tolerance, and root architecture.