RFT1 — Oryza sativa Indica Group

Summary

BGIOSGA007839 (RFT1, also known as OiFTL13) on chromosome 2 of Indica rice encodes a phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP family). The gene is associated with the regulation of flowering time, including responses to short-day conditions, photoperiodism, and the transition from vegetative to reproductive phase. It is linked to both upregulation of vernalization response and downregulation of flower development, as well as inflorescence development and vernalization response. The encoded protein localizes to the cytoplasm, nucleus, and endoplasmic reticulum. RFT1 is also associated with several agronomically important traits, including days to heading, grain number, grain weight, grain yield, plant height, chlorophyll content, and amino acid and protein content. Related genes in other species, such as CEN and MFT2, further connect this family to flowering regulation.