Over-expression of BcFLC1 from non-heading Chinese cabbage enhances cold tolerance in Arabidopsis

A gene (named BcFLC1) homologous to the AtFLC gene, which encodes a floral repressor, was isolated from the non-heading Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis) cv. NJ074. The gene showed high similarity to AtFLC. For studying the gene function, we designed to introduce the BcFLC1 gene into Arabidopsis thaliana. The results showed that BcFLC1 had effects on flowering time similar to AtFLC. We also found that Arabidopsis cold-tolerance was enhanced by BcFLC1 overexpression. Under low temperature stress, the BcFLC1 transgenic plants exhibited stronger growth than wild-type plants. The elevated cold tolerance of the BcFLC1 over-expressing plants was also confirmed by the changes of electrolyte leakage and malonyldialdehyde and proline content.