Ectopic Expression of MADS-Box Transcription Factor from Grape Promotes Early Flowering, Plant Growth, and Production by Regulating Cell-Wall Architecture in .

The MADS-box family, a substantial group of plant transcription factors, crucially regulates plant growth and development. Although the functions of AGL12-like subgroups have been elucidated in , rice, and walnut, their roles in grapes remain unexplored. In this study, we isolated , a member of the grape MADS-box group, and investigated its impact on plant growth and biomass production. was found to localize in the nucleus and exhibit expression in both vegetative and reproductive organs. We introduced into ecotype Columbia-0 and an mutant. The resulting phenotypes in the mutant, complementary line, and overexpressed line underscored s ability to promote early flowering, augment plant growth, and enhance production. This was evident from the improved fresh weight, root length, plant height, and seed production, as well as the reduced flowering time. Subsequent transcriptome analysis revealed significant alterations in the expression of genes associated with cell-wall modification and flowering in the transgenic plants. In summary, the findings highlight s pivotal role in the regulation of flowering timing, overall plant growth, and development. This study offers valuable insights, serving as a reference for understanding the influence of the gene in other plant species and addressing yield-related challenges.