Narcissus tazetta SVP-like gene NSVP2 enhances inflorescence branching in Arabidopsis

SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP) related genes have important functions in regulating floral transition and inflorescence structure in many plant species. Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis exhibits floral transition promoted by extended high temperature exposure. However, the molecular mechanism underlying such development remains unknown. In this study, we isolated and characterized one SVP-related gene, NSVP2 from N. tazetta var. chinensis. The results of RT-PCR assay showed that NSVP2 was expressed in both vegetative and floral tissues. Ectopic expression of NSVP2 neither complemented the early flowering phenotype of svp mutant nor altered the rosette leaf number in Col background. However, NSVP2 in svp mutant plants increased the number of lateral inflorescence and caused abnormal floral morphologies. These results suggest that NSVP2 might play a role in the regulation of flower development.