CO — Lactuca sativa

Summary

LsCO, a CONSTANS-like protein on lettuce chromosome 4, contains a CCT domain and zinc-finger B-box motifs. It is associated with regulation of phytochrome signaling, photoperiodic flowering, and chlorophyll breakdown, as well as responses to light quality, including red and far-red light sensitivity. The gene is linked to numerous agronomic traits, such as inflorescence branch arrangement, leaf morphology, seed protein content, photoperiod sensitivity, water stress response, and vegetative vigor. Studies of related genes in other species connect the CONSTANS-like family to photoperiod-dependent flowering time, tuberization, stress tolerance, and root architecture. LsCO is also associated with localisation to the CCAAT-binding factor complex and nuclear speckles.