Vegetative to generative1 (Vgt1) is an enhancer affecting flowering time and jasmonate signaling in maize by promoting the expression of Zea mays Related to APETALA 2.7

Transcriptional enhancers participate in cell and tissue differentiation in all multicellular organisms. Here, we characterized the candidate enhancer Vegetative to generative1 (Vgt1), a major QTL for flowering time in maize. Transgenic lines containing an inverted repeat that induces DNA methylation at Vgt1 showed early flowering and an accelerated growth rate during early development. DNA methylation of Vgt1 was associated with the downregulation of the AP2-like floral repressor ZmRap2.7 in specific leaf tissues at the early stages of maize development. In line with Vgt1 regulating ZmRap2.7, chromosome conformation capture data showed that Vgt1 physically interacts with the ZmRap2.7 transcription start site. Finally, chromatin immunoprecipitation of transiently expressed ZmRap2.7 in protoplasts indicated that this transcription factor binds to the promoters of several hundred genes. These genes include many genes that are differentially expressed in maize lines with and without extra DNA methylation at Vgt1. Altogether, we show that ZmRap2.7 is transcriptionally controlled by Vgt1 and is involved in regulating flowering time and other biological pathways, such as jasmonate signaling.