Evolution of light-dependent functions of GIGANTEA.

Abstract

GIGANTEA is a multifaceted plant-specific protein that originated in a streptophyte ancestor. The current known functions of GI include circadian clock control, light signalling, flowering time regulation, stomata response, chloroplast biogenesis, accumulation of anthocyanin, chlorophyll, and starch, phytohormone signalling, senescence and response to drought, salt, and oxidative stress. Six decades since its discovery, no functional domains have been defined, and its mechanism of action is still not well-characterised. In this review, we explore the functional evolution of GI to distinguish between ancestral and more recently acquired roles. GI integrated itself into various existing signalling pathways of the circadian clock, blue light, photoperiod, and osmotic and oxidative stress response. It also evolved parallelly to acquire new functions for chloroplast accumulation, red light signalling and anthocyanin production. In this review, we have encapsulated the known mechanisms of various biological functions of GI. Additionally, this manuscript will throw light on the evolution of GI in plant lineage.