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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Sunflower and Plant Biology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #309959

Title: DORMANCY ASSOCIATED MADS-BOX genes: a review

Author
item Horvath, David

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/10/2014
Publication Date: 4/14/2015
Citation: Horvath, D.P. 2015. DORMANCY ASSOCIATED MADS-BOX genes: a review. In: Anderson, J.V., editor. Advances in Plant Dormancy. Cham, Switzerland. Springer International Publishing AG. pp.235-256.

Interpretive Summary: DAM genes encode transcription factors (proteins that turn other genes on or off) that very likely play a key role in controlling bud dormancy in perennial crops and weeds. The form and function of these genes suggest that they regulate dormancy in multiple different species by controlling a set of genes previously though to primarily regulate flower development. Not only is the function of these DAM genes evolutionarily conserved, but there is evidence from the portion of these genes involved in turning them on during dormancy induction that they are generally controlled by the night length, temperature, and other uncharacterized signals as well as by changes in the structure of general DNA binding proteins called histones.

Technical Abstract: DAM genes encode transcription factors suspected of regulating bud dormancy in numerous perennials. This chapter discusses the functional genetics and regulation of these genes and summarizes the evidence that these transcription factors play a central role in seasonal bud dormancy induction and maintenance.