Transcriptomic analysis of Arabidopsis roots during flowering

Contribution of the root system to the flowering process remains poorly studied. Part of the problem resides in its difficult isolation from the substrate, especially on adult plants. Taking advantage of an hydroponic device that allows synchronous growth and flowering of Arabidopsis thaliana (Tocquin et al., 2003), we performed global transcript profiling of roots during induction of flowering by a single long day (LD). Results were validated by real-time RT-PCR, and the expression patterns of selected probes were further analyzed in shoots and roots. Some of the genes that were identified in the microarray experiment were already known to be involved in the photoperiodic pathway of flowering in Arabidopsis, and hence were activated in both roots and shoots during the LD. These genes include, for example, components of light signaling or circadian machinery (e.g. GIGANTEA). Other genes providing new insights into the control of flowering at the whole plant level will be presented. Tocquin et al., (2003). BMC Plant Biology, 3: 2