A transcription factor coordinating internode elongation and photoperiodic signals in rice

In several plant species, inflorescence formation is accompanied by stem elongation. Both processes are accelerated in rice upon perception of shortening days. Here, we show that PREMATURE INTERNODE ELONGATION 1 (PINE1), encoding a rice zinc-finger transcription factor, reduces the sensitivity of the stem to gibberellin (GA). The florigens reduce PINE1 expression to increase stem responsiveness to GA and promote flowering. These data indicate the existence of a regulatory network coordinating flowering and GA-dependent growth. In rice, a transcription factor named PREMATURE INTERNODE ELONGATION 1 (PINE1) represses internode elongation. During the vegetative phase, PINE1 reduces sensitivity to gibberellin and can uncouple floral transition from stem elongation.