AP1 — Triticum aestivum

Summary

TRAESCS4D02G341700, designated TaAP1 on wheat chromosome 4D, encodes a MADS-box transcription factor. The protein possesses RNA polymerase II transcription regulatory region sequence-specific DNA binding and protein dimerization activities. TaAP1 is associated with specification of stamen identity, meristem development, photoperiodism, and photoprotection. It has been linked to numerous agronomically important traits including heading time, spike type, spikelet number, grain weight per spike, grain width, harvest index, floret number, spike density, tiller angle, and seed shape. Additional associations include frost damage, stem rust, drought tolerance, heat tolerance, salt tolerance, carotenoid content, root fresh weight, root volume, leaf length, and nitrate transport. The gene is also connected to plant vegetative period, relative growth rate, and hybrid incompatibility. Studies of related genes in other species link the MADS-box family to flowering time regulation.