FT — Solanum tuberosum

Summary

PGSC0003DMG400016180, the potato StFT gene on chromosome 11, encodes a phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP family) with sequence-specific DNA binding and transcription factor activity, as well as mRNA regulatory element binding translation repressor activity and peptide-O-fucosyltransferase activity. StFT is associated with photoperiodism, floral whorl development, meristem determinacy, and the response to short days and strigolactone. It is linked to tuberization, tuber yield, flowering induction, and heat tolerance, as well as traits including photoperiod sensitivity, tuber morphology, inflorescence development, plant male sterility, seed viability, and starch grain synthesis. The gene localizes to the plasmodesma, ER, plastid, and cytosol. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to tuber formation, photoperiod sensitivity, plant architecture, and inflorescence meristem identity.