Abstract
Flower development is a crucial trait of higher-plant and is controlled
by the action of central genetic regulator, FLOWERING LOCUS T
(FT); one of the most crucial promoters of the floral transition that
encodes the phloem-mobile florigen protein which is an essential plants
flowering signal. FT has a conserved PHOSPHATIDYL-ETHANOLAMINE
BINDING PROTEIN (PEBP) domain, but its biochemical properties remain
uncharacterized. FT transcriptional regulation is the most
competent route to control the flowering period in plants. The
expression level of FT can be modified by various TFs of
different families such as; MYB, MADS-box, NF-Y, SPL etc which
can bind to the promoter region of FT. In temperate grasses
microRNA (miRNA) and alternative splicing (AS) can cause modulation in
FT expression. Determination of the endogenous levels of
FTs in plant is a challenging task because it is difficult to
raise antibodies which can be used for the mentioned purpose due to more
amino acid resemblance of FT homologs. The facts and findings
reviewed in this study incorporate the information and progress
regarding the role of FT in controlling flower induction. In this
review article, we have summarized the general introduction of FT
and discussed its molecular mechanism in regulating flower development
in plants.