Abstract
In Arabidopsis thaliana, results form recent studies have begun shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying clock-controlled circadian rhythms. In this context, we recently realized that each member of the small PRR family, including TOC1/PRR1, plays important roles close to the central oscillator. In addition to the clock-associated transcription factors (such as CCA1 and LHY), there must be many as yet unidentified transcription factors, which play important roles close to the input and/or output pathways. To address this issue, here, we focus out attention on a large family of B-box-type Zn-finger (B/Zn) transcription factors, which enclosed the CONSTANS sub-family members, some of which are implicated in the clock-controlled photoperiodic flowering time. In this study, we uncovered and characterized a number of clock-controlled novel B/Zn family genes, for which extensive genetic studies were carried out, in the hope of clarifying their circadian-associated roles in A. thaliana.
