AUTHOR=Xia Zhengjun , Zhai Hong , Wu Hongyan , Xu Kun , Watanabe Satoshi , Harada Kyuya 

TITLE=The Synchronized Efforts to Decipher the Molecular Basis for Soybean Maturity Loci E1, E2, and E3 That Regulate Flowering and Maturity

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2021.632754

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2021.632754

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>The general concept of photoperiodism, i.e., the photoperiodic induction of flowering, was established by <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B22">Garner and Allard (1920)</xref>. The genetic factor controlling flowering time, maturity, or photoperiodic responses was observed in soybean soon after the discovery of the photoperiodism. <italic>E1</italic>, <italic>E2</italic>, and <italic>E3</italic> were named in 1971 and, thereafter, genetically characterized. At the centennial celebration of the discovery of photoperiodism in soybean, we recount our endeavors to successfully decipher the molecular bases for the major maturity loci <italic>E1</italic>, <italic>E2</italic>, and <italic>E3</italic> in soybean. Through systematic efforts, we successfully cloned the <italic>E3</italic> gene in 2009, the <italic>E2</italic> gene in 2011, and the <italic>E1</italic> gene in 2012. Recently, successful identification of several circadian-related genes such as <italic>PRR3a</italic>, <italic>LUX</italic>, and <italic>J</italic> has enriched the known major <italic>E1-FTs</italic> pathway. Further research progresses on the identification of new flowering and maturity-related genes as well as coordinated regulation between flowering genes will enable us to understand profoundly flowering gene network and determinants of latitudinal adaptation in soybean.</p>