The splicing factor RNA BINDING PROTEIN 45d regulates temperature-responsive flowering (Plant Cell)

Posttranscriptional events such as splicing are part of the gene regulation toolbox. Previous studies have demonstrated a role for U-rich small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) such as U1 in the control of splicing. In a recent paper in The Plant Cell, Chang et al. identified a splicing factor, RNA BINDING PROTEIN 45d (RBP45d), in Arabidopsis, that is involved in pre-mRNA splicing. RBP45d together with another U1 snRNP component PRP39a, regulate alternative splicing of FLOWERING LOCUS M (FLM), which is a key flowering repressor under low temperature. Rising ambient temperature promotes flowering through the alternative splicing of FLM, which leads to the degradation of this flowering repressor. In summary, the authors identified and characterized an U1 snRNP component RNA BINDING PROTEIN 45d, which regulates temperature-responsive flowering in Arabidopsis. (Summary by Chandan Kumar Gautam @chandan_gautam) Plant Cell 10.1093/plcell/koab273