Identification of the Genes Encoding B3 Domain-Containing Proteins Related to Vernalization of Beta vulgaris

Vernalization is the process of exposure to low temperatures, which is crucial for the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth of plants. In this study, the global landscape vernalization-related mRNAs and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were identified in Beta vulgaris. A total of 22,159 differentially expressed mRNAs and 4418 differentially expressed lncRNAs were uncovered between the vernalized and nonvernalized samples. Various regulatory proteins, such as zinc finger CCCH domain-containing proteins, F-box proteins, flowering-time-related proteins FY and FPA, PHD finger protein EHD3 and B3 domain proteins were identified. Intriguingly, a novel vernalization-related lncRNA–mRNA target-gene co-expression regulatory network and the candidate vernalization genes, VRN1, VRN1-like, VAL1 and VAL2, encoding B3 domain-containing proteins were also unveiled. The results of this study pave the way for further illumination of the molecular mechanisms underlying the vernalization of B. vulgaris.