Summary: | The <i>PEBP</i> family comprises proteins that function as key regulators of flowering time throughout the plant kingdom and they also regulate growth and plant architecture. Within the <i>PEBP</i> protein family, three subfamilies can be distinguished in angiosperms: MOTHER OF FT AND <i>TFL1</i>-like (MFT), FLOWERING LOCUS T-like (FT-like), and TERMINAL FLOWER1-like (<i>TFL1</i>-like). Taking advantage of the genome sequences available from <i>K. fedtschenkoi</i> and <i>K. laxiflora</i>, we performed computational analysis to identify the members of the <i>PEBP</i> gene family in these species. The analyses revealed the existence of 11 <i>PEBP</i> genes in <i>K. fedtschenkoi</i> and 18 in <i>K. laxiflora</i>, which are clustered in two clades: <i>FT</i>-like and <i>TFL1</i>-like. The <i>PEBP</i> genes had conserved gene structure and the proteins had highly conserved amino acid sequences in the positions crucial for the protein functions. The analysis of Ka/Ks ratio revealed that most recently duplicated genes are under positive selection. Despite being an economically important genus, the genetics underlying the regulation of flowering in Kalanchoë is poorly understood. The results of this study may provide a new insight into the molecular control of flowering that will allow further studies on flowering control in Kalanchoë.
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