A Tea Plant () Gene, , Is Correlated to Bud Dormancy and Triggers Early Flowering in .

Flowering and bud dormancy are crucial stages in the life cycle of perennial angiosperms in temperate climates. MADS-box family genes are involved in many plant growth and development processes. Here, we identified three genes in tea plant belonging to the family. We monitored transcription throughout the year and found that was expressed at a higher level during the winter bud dormancy and flowering phases. To clarify the function of , we developed transgenic plants heterologously expressing . These lines bolted and bloomed earlier than the WT (Col-0), and the seed germination rate was inversely proportional to the increased expression level. The RNA-seq of transgenic showed that many genes responding to ageing, flower development and leaf senescence were affected, and phytohormone-related pathways were especially enriched. According to the results of hormone content detection and RNA transcript level analysis, controls flowering time possibly by regulating , , and and hormone signaling, accumulation and metabolism. This is the first time a study has identified genes and characterized in tea plant. Our results suggest that might play dual roles in flowering and winter bud dormancy and provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms of in tea plants as well as other plant species.