![]() Therefore, these key residues may have strongly contributed to the selection of these important functions over plant evolution. Although <60% identical, we have shown that swapping a single amino acid is sufficient to convert TFL1 to FT function and vice versa. We have uncovered a striking molecular basis for how these homologous proteins have diverged. Arabidopsis phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein homologues TERMINAL FLOWER 1 (TFL1) and FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) are key controllers of flowering, determining when and where flowers are made, but as opposing functions: TFL1 is a repressor, FT is an activator. In plants, flowering is a major developmental transition that is critical to reproductive success. To address these ideas, we have studied a system where two homologues have evolved clear and opposite functions in controlling a major developmental switch. However, it is often unclear which changes are key to determining new functions. ![]() Comparison of such homologues allows insight into how morphological traits evolve. Homologous proteins occurring through gene duplication may give rise to novel functions through mutations affecting protein sequence or expression.
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