The Four FAD-Dependent Histone Demethylases of Arabidopsis Are Differently Involved in the Control of Flowering Time

In , four FAD-dependent lysine-specific histone demethylases (LDL1, LDL2, LDL3, and FLD) are present, bearing both a SWIRM and an amine oxidase domain. In this study, a comparative analysis of gene structure, evolutionary relationships, tissue- and organ-specific expression patterns, physiological roles and target genes for the four Arabidopsis is reported. Phylogenetic analysis evidences a different evolutionary history for the four , while promoter activity data show that are strongly expressed during plant development and embryogenesis, with some gene-specific expression patterns. Furthermore, phenotypical analysis of loss-of-function mutants indicates a role of all four Arabidopsis genes in the control of flowering time, though for some of them with opposing effects. This study contributes toward a better understanding of the physiological roles and may provide biotechnological strategies for crop improvement.