CO — Phaseolus vulgaris

Summary

PHAVU_008G022800, the PvCO gene on chromosome 8 of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), encodes a CONSTANS-like protein containing B-box zinc-finger and CCT domains. The gene is associated with diverse molecular functions including euchromatin binding, transcription factor binding, and photoreceptor activities for red and far-red light. PvCO is linked to the regulation of flowering time, particularly through short-day photoperiodism and vernalization response, as well as chlorophyll breakdown, circadian clock photoentrainment, and ascorbate biosynthesis. It has been connected to numerous agronomic traits including photoperiod sensitivity, vegetative vigor, stem length, leaf angle, flower and fruit development, seed storage protein content, iron content, and responses to water stress, nematodes, and spot blotch. Studies of related genes in other species associate the family with photoperiod-dependent flowering time, drought tolerance, tuberization, seed development, and heat stress tolerance.