FioreDB: a database of phenotypic information induced by the chimeric repressor silencing technology (CRES-T) in Arabidopsis and floricultural plants

Manipulation of horticultural plants' traits using genetic engineering has been a challenge because of gene redundancy and limited information concerning genome or other factors necessary for successful engineering. Recently we have developed a powerful tool with potential to overcome these difficulties, a novel gene silencing technology targeting transcription factor, which is designated Chimeric REpressor gene-Silencing Technology (CRES-T). Using this system, we are now analyzing biological functions of transcription factors in Arabidopsis and trying to manipulate morphological traits of various floricultural plants. To provide these information for genetic engineering of horticultural plants, we have developed the 'FioreDB' database in a web-based interface (http://www.cres-t.org/fiore/public_db/), which stores phenotypic information induced by various chimeric repressors in Arabidopsis and six floricultural plants, namely torenia, chrysanthemum, gentian, cyclamen, eustoma, morning glory. Users can find gene constructs that induce their preferred phenotype in Arabidopsis using simple searches, and can browse induced phenotypes in floricultural plants. Most phenotypic information has photo data. FioreDB is continually updated by addition of new data derived from the CRES-T analyses. FioreDB will help to improve traits of horticultural plants using the CRES-T system.