Molecular Cloning, Characterization and Expression of SUPPRESSOR of OVEREXPRESSION of CONSTANS 1 (NnSOC1) and NnSOC1-like in Nelumbo nucifera

For the aim of unveiling the molecular mechanism of flowering, the MADS-box genes of SUPPRESSOR of OVEREXPRESSION of CONSTANS 1 (NnSOC1) and NnSOC1-like were isolated in Nelumbo nucifera. Seven introns splicing of NnSOC1 and NnSOC1-like strictly followed the GT-AG rule, consisting of all the characteristic motifs of SOC1 family. NnSOC1 and NnSOC1-like were widely distributed in reproductive and vegetative tissues of N. nucifera, exhibiting the highest expression in leaves and the lowest level in embryo. Additionally, both genes were expressed in the whole flowering stage, with the highest mRNA level observed in the initiation stage of flowering and the lowest expression in fruit set. Ectopic expression of NnSOC1 and NnSOC1-like advanced the flowering time of transgenic Arabidopsis, and decreased the rosetta leaves production. These results suggested that NnSOC1 and NnSOC1-like were involved in initiation of flowering, which are likely to serve as fundamental research for studying molecular mechanism of flowering in aquatic plants. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers