Isolation of LiLFY1 and Its Expression in Lily (Lilium longiflorum Thunb.)

LFY family genes play a conserved role in regulating flowering. In this study, the cDNA of LiLFY1 was isolated with the strategy of RT-PCR in combination with RACE from lily (Lilium longiflorum Thunb.). LiLFY1 encodes a LFY transcriptional factor. The alignment analysis of the deduced LiLFY1 protein with other known LFY family proteins indicates that LiLFY1 is highly homologous with rice RFL and maize FLL. The result of Southern hybridization showed that there are two copies of LFY family genes in lily. LiLFY1 is expressed in young flower buds and shoot apical meristem (SAM) but not in roots, shoots, mature leaves, and mature floral organs. The cloned LiLFY1 gene may be applied to genetic engineering aiming for regulating the flowering time in lily.