Role of plant CBP/p300-like genes in the regulation of flowering time

CREB-binding protein (CBP) and its homolog p300 possess histone acetyltransferase activity and function as key transcriptional co-activators in the regulation of gene expression that controls differentiation and development in animals. However, the role of CBP/p300-like genes in plants has not yet been elucidated. Here, we show that Arabidopsis CBP/p300-like genes promote flowering by affecting the expression of a major floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). Although animal CBP and p300 generally function as co-activators, Arabidopsis CBP/p300-like proteins are required for the negative regulation of FLC. This CBP/p300-mediated FLC repression may involve reversible protein acetylation independent of histone modification within FLC chromatin.