Pangenome and resequencing analyses reveal flowering evolution and genetic control in Cerasus.
Jiu S, Lei Y, Fang L, Huang Y, Chen W
Phenology
Cherry trees lining your neighborhood streets or blooming in your backyard may soon be bred to flower more reliably as springs grow unpredictable — because researchers just found the genetic switch that decides exactly when they wake from winter.
Researchers compared the full genetic blueprints of 21 cherry species — the ones behind cherry blossoms, wild cherries, and sour cherries — to find out what controls when they flower each spring. They discovered one particular gene acts as a key regulator, essentially giving the 'go' signal for blooming after winter dormancy ends. They also found that another gene acts as a brake, holding that signal back until the right moment.
Key Findings
A pangenome was constructed from 21 accessions representing 17 Cerasus species using 8 newly assembled genomes combined with 13 previously published ones.
The gene AGL9 (found in cherries as PavAGL9) was strongly associated with flowering progression — overexpressing it in plants accelerated bloom onset after dormancy.
PavBPC6 was identified as a repressor that binds the AGL9 promoter to suppress flowering, while PavAGL9 physically interacts with PavSEP1 and PavPMADS2 to promote floral organ development.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Scientists built a comprehensive genetic map of ornamental and edible cherry species, discovering a key gene—AGL9—that acts like a molecular timer controlling when cherry trees burst into bloom after winter dormancy.
Abstract Preview
Prunus subgenus Cerasus contains numerous species with ornamental, edible, and medicinal value. However, limited genomic resources have constrained systematic analyses of structural variation and t...
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