Ver203 ,a gene related to vernalization in winter wheat was cloned by the strategy of differential screening and RACE PCR. Its function was investigated by antisense transformation in both wheat and Arabidopsis. A number of transgenic plants were obtained and their response to vernalization treatment was characterized. For the plants in the 6 lines in which the antisense construct was expressed efficiently, flowering stage was significantly delayed. The developmental pattern of inflorescence was also changed in the transgenic plants of wheat and Arabidopsis . The upper spikes of transgenic plants were degenerated in wheat, and the florescence of transgenic plants became terminal flower in Arabidopsis . This suggests that the VER203 type of proteins may play an important role in floral initiation and flower development in winter wheat and Arabidopsis.
