| abstract |
Disclosed are isolated nucleic acids obtainable from the FRI locus of plants which encode polypeptides capable of specifically altering, particularly delaying, the flowering time of a plant into which the nucleic acid is introduced. One preferred embodiment is the FRI nucleotide sequence which encodes the polypeptide of Fig 6 (see the sequence of Fig 5, particularly bases 362-2188 thereof) or sequences degeneratively equivalent to these. Also provided are variant sequences (e.g. alleles, orthologues, derivatives) and complementary sequences, plus vectors, host cells, plants and associated processes of production and methods of use e.g. for influencing or affecting flowering time in a plant by expression or suppression of FRI or variant sequences. |