Identification and functional analysis of MADS12, a gene involve in the reactivation of growth after winter in trees

Perennial trees in temperate regions require a good adaptative capacity which let them synchronize the growth-dormancy cycles with environmental conditions. To investigate these processes, we performed phenological studies mimicking annual temperature and photoperiod and we identified a MADS box gene involve in the reactivation of growth in ecodormant trees. This gene shows a specific temporal expression pattern and increase its expression in early spring as many growth promoting genes. Moreover, we conclude with chilling and no chilling assays, that its activation is completely dependent on a cold season, and to regulate growth it is able to transcriptionally repress gibberellin deactivation genes. Summary, its presence in early spring is necessary to the reactivation of growth after winter, mediating one of the main growth regulating pathways.