Chromatin Remodeling and Flowering Time Control in Higher Plant

Abstract: The changes in conformational structure and composition of chromatin led to the activation or silence of genes through mediating the combination between transcription factors and gene promoter directly. The studies in yeast and animal system had suggested that chromatin remodeling was required for the establishment and maintenance of the expression pattern of the transcription factors， which played an important role in regulation of gene expression. The environmental signals regulated gene expression and eventually controlled cell differentiation and individual development through chromatin remodeling regulation. The protein mediators involved in chromatin remodeling in yeast and animal system had also been found in higher plant. Recent studies indicated that external signals mediate chromatin conformational structure to regulate the expression of the key genes which control the flower time. This paper provided briefly summary the progresses in this field.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2005.01.0006